BRCA test at a glance

What is a BRCA test?

• A BRCA test tells you whether you have an altered BRCA gene and is done by taking a sample of blood.
• There are three possible results:
  1. An altered BRCA gene has been found
  2. An altered BRCA gene has not been found
  3. An alteration has been found but we are not sure what this means
• An altered BRCA gene increases your chances of developing cancer.
• Test results may take 6 - 8 weeks to come back.

What are my chances of having an altered BRCA gene?

• Having an altered BRCA gene is very uncommon.
• Only 3% (3 in 100) breast cancers are caused by altered BRCA genes.
• Age at diagnosis, family history of breast or ovarian cancer and type of breast cancer can increase your chances of having an altered gene.
• Altered BRCA genes are passed down from your mother or father.

What does it mean if I have an altered BRCA gene?

• Having an altered BRCA gene increases the chance of new cancers, such as breast and ovarian.
• If you have an altered BRCA gene, your close family (sons, daughters, brothers and sisters) have a 50% (1 in 2) chance of having the altered gene.

What can be done if I have an altered BRCA gene?

• If you have an altered BRCA gene, you can reduce your chances of future cancer by having risk-reducing surgery. This could be a mastectomy to remove your breast(s), or an operation to remove your ovaries. You can also choose to have regular breast screening, make changes to your lifestyle or do nothing.

What does it mean if an altered BRCA gene is not found in me?

• There is less chance that your breast cancer happened because of an altered gene.
• Not all breast cancer genes have been found. If you have a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, you and your family may still have a higher chance of these cancers.
• There are other genes linked to breast cancer which may be tested as part of the BRCA test and your clinician will discuss this with you.