Q: How is the BRACAnalysis® test
performed?
A: Your doctor draws a small amount of your blood
or refers you to a blood draw facility and then sends it to Myriad
Genetic Laboratories for analysis. This analysis involves a complex
process called
gene
sequencing.
Q: How long does it take to get the test results from my
BRACAnalysis® test?
A: Your doctor will share test results with you
as soon as they are available, which can be as soon as four weeks
from the date your test is started.
Q: Will my health insurance pay for the
BRACAnalysis® test?
A: Most health insurance plans pay for
BRACAnalysis®. Call the Myriad Reimbursement Assistance
Program (MRAP) at 800-469-7423 for more details about the
reimbursement process. MRAP can also assist you with determining
coverage through your insurance company.
Q: Can my health insurance provider discriminate against
me based on my BRACAnalysis® test results?
A: A number of federal and state laws prohibit insurance discrimination to various degrees. The Health Insurance Portability Protection Act (HIPAA) recognizes genetic information as Protected Health Information (PHI) and specifies protection for the confidentiality of PHI. HIPAA also provides restrictions on health-related information in making coverage decisions and in setting premiums by group health insurers, although HIPAA does not provide such restrictions for non-group plans. HIPAA further states that genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis cannot be considered a pre-existing condition. In the federal government, executive departments and agencies are prohibited by executive order from using protected genetic information as a basis for employment decisions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has interpreted the Americans with Disabilities act to provide some additional protections from the use of genetic information by employers. Many states have enacted additional protections against genetic discrimination in health insurance or employment or both. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is currently awaiting final approval in the US Senate, to complete broad protection of genetic information.
Q: If I take the BRACAnalysis® test and my
results are positive for a BRCA gene mutation, what are my
options for reducing my risk of cancer?
A: You and your doctor would have a number of
options to discuss based on your test results. One option involves
the use of prescription drugs such as tamoxifen to
reduce the risk of breast cancer or
oral contraceptives to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Other
options include increased surveillance and preventive surgery.
Q: If I've already had breast cancer, what would a
positive BRACAnalysis® result mean?
A: People with a
BRCA gene mutation are at a greater risk of developing a
new cancer, either in the ovaries or the breast. Knowing your
BRCA status can help you take steps to reduce this risk or
detect another potential cancer at an early, more treatable
stage.
Q: Does a positive BRACAnalysis® test result
mean that I currently have cancer - for example, a tumor that
wasn't previously diagnosed?
A: BRACAnalysis® does not determine or
confirm if you currently have cancer. Your results provide
information about your inherited risk of breast and ovarian
cancer.
Q: If no one in my family has had ovarian cancer, do I
still have to worry about this particular kind of cancer if I'm
found to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2
mutation?
A: A woman who carries a BRCA1 or
BRCA2 mutation is at an increased risk for both breast and
ovarian cancer, even if there are no known cases of ovarian cancer
in the family.
Q: Is BRACAnalysis®
appropriate for men as well?
A: If a man has a personal history of breast
cancer or a significant family history of breast or ovarian cancer,
he may have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Also, if a
family member has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, he
may also have inherited that mutation. Men in these circumstances
should consider testing. Although male breast cancer is rare, men
who carry BRCA mutations are more likely to develop breast
cancer, as well as prostate cancer. Men with a BRCA
mutation also have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their
children, whether or not they've been diagnosed with
cancer.
» Next section: Colorectal Cancer
A genetic test for hereditary breast and
ovarian cancer
