Proud Partner Member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in New Mexico and Washington

Information in Genetic Testing

Between 5 and 10% of breast and ovarian cancer cases can be linked to hereditary mutations. Knowing that you have inherited a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene – the two most common genes known to be associated with breast and ovarian cancer – provides valuable information that can help you reduce your risk for these diseases, or catch them early enough to allow successful treatment. Future drugs, already in clinical trials, may also be able to tailor your treatment to your hereditary condition..

Signs of an hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome may include but are not limited to:

• Breast cancer at age 45 or younger
• Breast cancer in both breasts in a woman at any age
• Both breast and ovarian cancer in the same woman
• Two or more family members with ovarian cancer and/or breast cancer, especially if the breast cancer was diagnosed at or before age 50
• At least one family member with breast cancer and one with ovarian cancer
• Breast cancer in men
• Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and ovarian cancer at any age or breast cancer before age 60

Other factors may indicate a hereditary cancer syndrome within a family. It is important to seek the opinion of a specialist in cancer genetics if you believe the cancer in your family may be hereditary.