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Questions for the Doctor   Questions for the Doctor

Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Questions for the doctor

Questions for the Doctor

Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Questions for the doctor 

Genetic counseling and testing can help you understand your risk for cancer. Genetic tests help doctors look for mutations (changes) in certain genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. If you have these mutations, you are more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer.

Talk with your doctor about genetic testing if:

  • Two or more close family members (parents, sisters, or children) have had breast or ovarian cancer
  • A close family member had breast cancer before age 50
  • A close family member has had cancer in both breasts
  • A family member has had both breast and ovarian cancer
  • You are of Eastern European Jewish heritage

If tests show that you are at high risk for getting breast or ovarian cancer, you and your doctor can discuss options for lowering your risk.

The Affordable Care Act covers counseling about genetic testing for some women. Depending on your
insurance plan, you may be able to get counseling at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance provider.

What do I ask the doctor?

Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions written down before your appointment.
Print these questions and take them with you the next time you visit the doctor.

  • What is my risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer?
  • Are there warning signs I should look out for?
  • Would you recommend genetic testing to learn more about my risk?
  • What are the benefits and risks of getting tested?
  • What are my chances of having a mutated (changed) gene that could increase my risk for cancer?
  • If I have a mutated gene, what options will be available to me?
  • What would a positive or negative test result mean for me?
  • If I get tested, who will be able to see my test results?
  • Besides mutated genes, what other things increase my risk for breast and ovarian cancer?
  • What types of cancer screenings are recommended if I decide not to do genetic testing?
  • Is there information I can take with me about preventing breast or ovarian cancer?

For more information about genetic screening for breast and ovarian cancer, visit:

Content last updated on: July 31, 2012 Content Review by