DNA Tests for Breast Cancer Genetic Testing

By ⁠Dr. Brandon Colby MD, a physician-expert in the fields of genetic testing and personalized preventive medicine.

In our last article, we answered the question ⁠Is There a Genetic Test for Breast Cancer? Yes, genetic testing, which is also referred to as DNA testing, is a very important part of breast cancer prevention.

DNA testing allows you to determine your genetic risk of breast cancer. If you’re is found to be at increased risk, there are a wide range of prevention measures that can be implemented throughout life that have been shown to reduce the person’s overall risk of breast cancer.

It’s now possible to order a DNA test to determine breast cancer risk without the need to first obtain a prescription from a healthcare provider. DNA tests for ⁠breast cancer genetic testing are available online and you can submit your sample easily in the privacy and comfort of your home. 

How DNA Tests Work

What many people don’t know is that ⁠DNA testing companies such as Sequencing.com, 23andMe, and MyHeritage use the same types of DNA tests that doctors and geneticists have been using for years. Just as you would provide a DNA sample to a health care professional who would then send it to the lab for testing, you can submit your own DNA sample to a lab for testing. Cutting the middle man out means you save money on ⁠breast cancer genetic testing cost. 

Learn More: ⁠Comparison of DNA Tests

After placing your DNA sample in the provided container, you mail it off to the testing lab. The technicians will pull data from the sample and upload it to the DNA test company’s site. For instance, if you choose to have your DNA tested by Sequencing.com, the results will be uploaded to your account on the site. Sequencing is 100% private, secure, and confidential. You never have to worry about your DNA being shared without consent. 

Once your DNA data has been stored securely, you are free to use it however you would like. For instance, you can have the DNA data analyzed to see if you have gene mutations that could cause breast cancer. ⁠The Prevent Breast Cancer app not only analyzes the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but also includes a comprehensive analysis of eight other genes that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Getting Started with a DNA Test for Breast Cancer Genetic Testing

⁠At-home breast cancer genetic testing is available on Sequencing.com. Simply order the Ultimate DNA Test or the Ultimate Genome Sequencing test. 

The Difference Between DNA Testing and Whole Genome Sequencing For Breast Cancer

The Ultimate DNA Test is the most basic one you can have for your DNA. While DNA tests from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritage obtain data on around 700,000 variations in a person’s DNA, the Ultimate DNA Test is far more comprehensive because it obtains data on 30 million. While the Ultimate DNA Test obtains data on mutations in both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, it does not test for all of the known mutations.

The Ultimate Genome Sequencing DNA test includes clinical-grade whole genome sequencing. This is the most comprehensive assessment of all your genes and obtains data on all mutations in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Sequencing your full genome means you’ll have the greatest insight into your genes that’s possible from any DNA test. In addition to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, Ultimate Genome Sequencing also tests over 20,000 other genes, which are 100% of your genes. There’s no other genetic screening that’s more comprehensive. 

When you order either test, you’ll receive the Prevent Breast Cancer DNA analysis for free. You’ll also receive two other DNA apps and reports with each of them including a Coronavirus DNA Health Report. The Ultimate Genome Sequencing gives you a bit more as a bonus, including a Wellness & Longevity Report, Healthcare Pro Report, Rare Disease Screen, and the comprehensive version of the Coronavirus DNA Health Report. 

You have many choices for DNA tests now that they are available online. The advantage of purchasing your DNA test for ⁠breast cancer genetic testing from Sequencing.com is that you’ll learn so much more about your genetic makeup AND gain that knowledge for a fraction of the price. 

Learn more about  DNA tests by clicking on the image below. 

Additional Information About DNA Tests for Breast Cancer

Our Education Center provides resources to learn about the importance of DNA testing for breast cancer prevention. For example, you can learn ⁠what’s new with breast cancer genetic testing as well as learn about how new technologies have caused a significant reduction in the cost of breast cancer genetic testing.

About The Author

⁠Dr. Brandon Colby MD is a US physician specializing in the personalized prevention of disease through the use of genomic technologies. He’s an expert in genetic testing, genetic analysis, and precision medicine. Dr. Colby is also the Founder of Sequencing.com and the author of ⁠Outsmart Your Genes.

Dr. Colby holds an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, and a degree in Genetics with Honors from the University of Michigan. He is an Affiliate Specialist of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (⁠ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine (⁠ACPM), and a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (⁠NSGC).