Is There a Genetic Test for Breast Cancer?

The second most common cancer women suffer from is breast cancer. Survival depends heavily on the stage at which treatment begins. If caught early, survival rates are much higher than if caught in the later stages. Since survival depends on how quickly the cancer is identified and treated, prevention sets the survival rate for breast cancer at nearly 100%.

Does this mean breast cancer can be prevented for those who are genetically predisposed to it? Yes. Breast cancer can be prevented, not just treated.

Who Should Consider Preventing Breast Cancer

Many people who have family members who suffered from breast cancer worry about their own risk, but many are not motivated enough to take proactive prevention steps. Although they have an increased risk for breast cancer, most only try to identify breast cancer as early as possible through self-exams and mammograms after age 40.

Identifying breast cancer early and treating it aggressively is important. But genetic testing can take this a step further by enabling true prevention before cancer ever develops.

The Genetics of Breast Cancer

Because breast cancer has been claiming so many lives, genetic research in this area has grown exponentially. By studying family history and genetic mutations in study participants, researchers have been able to identify specific gene variants that signal increased risk for future generations.

Genetic testing is how people can proactively assess their risk for breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic test results can identify whether someone has mutated genes that increase their breast cancer risk.

Two of the most well-known are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Individuals who carry mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes face up to a 7 in 10 chance of developing breast cancer by age 80.

These two genes are not the only ones that increase likelihood of breast cancer. Others include PALB2 and CHEK2. Genetic testing can identify all of these variants.

Inherited vs. Acquired Gene Mutations

Gene mutations can happen in two ways: inherited from a parent or acquired from environmental factors such as carcinogens. Cancer screenings often assess both avenues. Understanding whether someone has been exposed to high levels of radiation or other carcinogens can help assess how likely gene mutations may be present.

Health Insurance Companies Support Prevention

Anyone who has gone through cancer treatment knows that prevention is far easier than treating. Health insurance companies recognize that prevention costs are much less than oncology treatment. Insurance providers are often motivated to cover the cost of preventive medications such as tamoxifen or raloxifene for those with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk due to the known elevated risk associated with BRCA mutations.

Triple-negative breast cancer, which accounts for 10% to 20% of breast cancer diagnoses, is significantly more difficult to treat than hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Insurance companies are increasingly recognizing the value of genetic testing and preventive intervention for high-risk individuals.

Genetic Tests for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is not only treatable but also highly preventable, as long as people take the steps needed to understand their risk. The National Cancer Institute and National Comprehensive Cancer Network have been working to increase awareness of how genetic testing can support breast cancer prevention.

Many people believe they need a particular medical history to warrant a genetic test. This is not true. Anyone can benefit from a genetic test that identifies breast cancer gene mutations, especially those with a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer.

How Sequencing Can Help With Breast Cancer Prevention

Sequencing's whole genome sequencing reads 100% of your DNA across over 30,000 genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, and all other genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk. Within a few weeks of submitting your cheek swab sample, you can find out whether you carry any of the gene mutations that increase breast cancer risk.

If you already have DNA data from another provider such as 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or MyHeritage, you can upload your raw DNA data to Sequencing for free.

Your genetic data never changes, so the results remain relevant and useful throughout your life. As new research emerges and new analysis tools are added to the Partner Marketplace, your same genomic data can be re-analyzed to uncover new insights.

Order your whole genome sequencing kit from Sequencing today and take a proactive step toward breast cancer prevention.