Take Action Against HBOC

Nearly 200,000 cases of breast cancer and 25,000 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed every year. All women have some risk of getting these cancers and should have regular medical screening.

Women with HBOC are at a much higher risk for breast and ovarian cancers and should follow a more aggressive screening plan. Once HBOC is identified by BRACAnalysis^®, risk may be greatly reduced or nearly eliminated by a comprehensive management plan based on your own inherited risk and personal preferences and choices. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider about creating your personalized management plan.

Steps To Reduce Cancer Risk, or Detect Cancer at an Earlier, More Treatable Stage

      More Frequent Monitoring for Breast Cancer

• Monthly breast self-exams starting at age 18
• Annual or semiannual clinical breast exams starting at age 25
• Annual mammography starting at age 25
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) starting at age 25

      More Frequent Monitoring for Ovarian Cancer

• Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound (TVU)
• Annual or semiannual blood test for serum CA-125 levels
• Annual pelvic exams

      Preventive Drug Therapies for Breast Cancer

• Preventive drug therapies may be implemented along with increased surveillance
• Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer for women with BRCA mutations by more than half

      Preventive Drug Therapies for Ovarian Cancer

• Oral contraceptives can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations
• Research has shown a risk reduction of up to 60% in women with BRCA mutations who took oral contraceptives

      Preventive surgery

• Preventive mastectomy has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by more than 90%
• Preventive salpingo-ophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by up to 96%, and may also reduce the risk of breast cancer as much as 68%

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