BRACA testing
If you are told by your Genetics Clinic and doctor that the BRACA test is not really needed because your only living relative has passed, is it right to say that there is no guarantee that you won't ...
Forum Discussion
Hi Nathalie
This is Kathy from BCNA's Policy Team. I thought I would try to explain why I think genetic testing has not been recommended for you.
Genetic testing is provided free of charge by Family Cancer Clinics for women who have a strong family history of breast cancer - that is two or more relatives on the same side of the family.
Only about 5-10 per cent of breast cancers are from an inherited gene mutation. If your mother is the only person in your family to have had breast cancer, it is unlikely your family carries a gene mutation.
The other issue is that genetic testing is done through a blood test, and the first test is done on a member of the family who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. If there is no-one in your family who is alive and has had breast cancer, unfortunately there will be no one to test. The process is that the person diagnosed is tested for a gene mutation, and if it is positive they can test other family members to see if they carry the same mutation.
There is more information on the Beast cancer in the family page of our website, or email me if you have further queries.
I hope this helps.
Kathy