Breast Cancer		Risk from Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2   Does every woman with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene get breast cancer? No. Although a woman with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is statistically more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman without this genetic alteration, not every woman with an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will get breast cancer. Remember, genetics is just one of a myriad of risks. An altered breast cancer gene does not guarantee cancer. In fact, most cases of breast cancer do not involve an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Statistics show that at most, 1 in 10 breast cancers cases involve an inherited altered gene. Furthermore, not all cases of breast cancer in women with a family history of breast cancer involves altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Questions Related to Risk from Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 What is genetic testing for cancer? What role do genetics play in breast cancer? Are some woman genetically predisposed to breast cancer? What are BRCA1 and BRCA2? How are BRCA1 and BRCA2 involved in causing cancer? Could I inherit a breast cancer abnormality gene from my father? Who should get genetic testing? How much does genetic testing for breast cancer cost? Where can I get genetically tested for breast cancer? How is the test for BRCA1 and BRCA2 performed? What can I do if I have altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes? If my genetic tests do not show that I have the altered genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, does this mean that I will not get breast cancer? Are certain populations or ethnicities more likely to have altered BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes? Is genetic testing covered by insurance? I have breast cancer. What are the chances that my children could develop other kinds of cancer? Because I had breast cancer and was also in the at-risk population, I was advised to have genetic testing. Fortunately, I am not a carrier. But is it possible that the altered breast cancer gene could skip a generation and show up in my daughter? What are the advantages of genetic testing? What are the disadvantages of genetic testing? Why is psychological counseling a component of genetic testing? If I test positive for altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, can my insurance carrier drop me? Is genetic discrimination prohibited by law? Should I share my genetic test results with my husband or partner? If I am thinking about getting genetically tested, what questions should I ask? Page 1 of 1    | 1 |

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