BRCA testing detects the hereditary cancer possibilities of a person by collecting a sample of blood, saliva, or cells from the cheek. BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are two variants of genes inherited from parents that produce protein to repair DNA. People who inherit the pathogenic variant (mutated form) are exposed to breast and ovarian cancer.
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2?
Everyone has two copies of each BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene (inherited from each parent). In many cases, people used to inherit one normal copy of a gene from one parent and one mutated copy of BRCA1 (breast cancer gene 1) or BRCA2 (breast cancer gene 2) from another parent. So, they do not have high risk exposure to cancer because the normal copy of the gene prevents cells from transforming into cancer. But, in case both the genes are of mutated variant, then the person is exposed to breast and ovarian cancer risk. The offspring of any person carrying a pathogenic variant of BRCA1 and BRCA2 has a 50% chance of inheriting the pathogenic variant.
Purpose of BRCA Testing
BRCA testing checks the BRCA1 and BRCA2 associated with HBOC (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) by identifying the heterozygous germline pathogenic variant of BRCA1 and BRCA2. The early prediction of possibilities of breast and ovarian cancer or even prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer helps to take preventive measures well in advance. Medgenome offers simple and reliable BRCA tests to help find cancer risk early and take steps to prevent it.
Early detection by BRCA testing
Many health physicians recommend BRCA testing at the early age of 25 if the woman has any family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The early detection of pathogenic versions of BRCA1 or BRCA2 helps to take the preventive measures. The positive result of BRCA testing indicates the presence of a pathogenic, harmful variant of BRCA1 and BRCA2. It indicates that the person is exposed to higher risk of generating cancer. The negative results indicate that the person does not have a pathogenic harmful variant of BRCA1 and BRCA2, and he will not pass it to his offspring.
BRCA testing is an effective, safe procedure for predicting the BRCA21 and BRCA2 harmful pathogenic variants that can cause cancer in the future. The health physician can suggest to you the preventive measure earlier for controlling cancer. The test also follows simple steps of collecting a blood or saliva sample and predicting the result in approximately 2-3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does early detection of breast and ovarian cancer help?
The early detection of risk exposure to breast and ovarian cancer can help you to take precautions to stop developing cancer in the future. You can change your lifestyle, take proper medication, and perform regular screening and monitoring to prevent cancer.
Q2. Can the BRCA gene cause any other type of cancer except breast or ovarian cancer?
Yes. It can cause stomach, uterine, prostate, cervical, or liver cancer.
Q3. Can a male person be affected by BRCA1 or BRCA2 harmful pathogenic variants?
Yes. Men with harmful mutant variants of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have the chance of developing prostate cancer in the future.
