When should I know the results of the BRCA testing?
In most cases, you should have results in a few weeks. Some labs can speed results for people who’ve already been diagnosed with cancer and need results to help make treatment decisions. Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect your results.
What does it mean if the results are positive?
Testing positive for a BRCA mutation significantly increases your risk of cancer. But it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get cancer. Knowing that you have a BRCA gene mutation enables you to take positive steps to prevent cancer. It also helps your family members to better understand their own risks.
Talk to your healthcare provider and genetic counselor about whether your relatives should be tested. Your counselor and healthcare provider can also explain preventive measures you might want to take. Possible steps include:
- More frequent cancer screenings (such as mammograms).
- Additional screening techniques (such as breast MRI).
- Limited use of birth control pills, which may reduce your risk of ovarian cancer but can raise the risk of breast cancer in some people.
- Use of cancer-preventing medications, such as tamoxifen.
- Preventive surgery, such as a prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy to remove healthy breast tissue before cancer can develop, and prophylactic removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
What does it mean if the results are negative?
A negative result means you don’t have a BRCA mutation. It also means your children won’t inherit a BRCA mutation from you.
A negative BRCA test doesn’t guarantee you won’t get cancer. It means your risk is likely the same as the general population. Knowing your results can help your care team plan your treatment if you ever receive a cancer diagnosis.
If your test is negative, but you have one or more family members diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50, the implications are less clear. It may mean your family has a different gene mutation that increases cancer risk. Your genetic counselor can help you understand these results and decide if you need any further testing.
What does it mean if the results are uncertain?
It’s possible to get inconclusive results, which may require further testing. Your test may show that you have a change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, but not a mutation known to be associated with increased breast cancer risk.
This result is a variant of unknown significance (VUS). Your genetic counselor can explain these results and help you decide if you — or other family members — should have further genetic testing.
What questions should I ask my healthcare team?
- Which other members of my family should also get BRCA testing?
- If my test is positive, does that mean my children also have the gene mutation?
- How does my test result affect breast cancer screening, as well as screening for other types of cancer?
- If my test is positive, are there any steps I should consider to reduce my risk of developing certain types of cancer?
- Can the type of testing I had also find other gene mutations?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
BRCA testing looks for abnormal changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. A positive test result means you have a higher-than-average risk of developing breast, ovarian and other cancers. Knowing you have a BRCA gene mutation also means you can take steps to lower your risk and help prevent cancer.
