Caring for patients with breast cancer from 35 hospitals and hospices across london and the home counties
Open 9am - 5pm
Answerphone at
other times
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Genetic Testing
There are a few setbacks to looking for mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. They are very long genes, so searching for the changes can take a long time (around 6 – 8 months) in order to obtain a result, and sometimes, even though there may be a very strong family history, the change in the gene cannot be found. Therefore, in order to get a significant result, an affected family member is tested to see if the family mutation can be found. If the individual initially tested is found to carry a gene change (positive test) then other family members can be tested. If the other family members subsequently tested are negative for the family mutation, their risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer does not go to zero. However, their risk is close to the risk of the general population of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer during their lifetime. If another family member is found to be positive for the family mutation, then the chance of developing cancer is not inevitable, but the lifetime risks for breast cancer can be as high as 85%, and the lifetime risks for ovarian cancer can be as high as 40%. These risks are well above the general population’s risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Genetic versus Sporadic Breast Cancer
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OTHER TESTIMONIALS
“When you came to see me nearly a year ago, I was very receptive to your offers of help. But I could have no idea how much Cancerkin would do for me over this difficult year.”
Gillian
