Mutations associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) significantly increase the probability of developing these cancers. If BRACAnalysis® test results for a patient show an increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer, the following medical management options can help reduce that risk, and either prevent or detect cancer at an early, treatable stage.
Risk Reduction
Increased Surveillance
- Monthly breast self-exams starting at age 18 to 21 and annual or semiannual clinical breast exams, beginning between ages 25 to 35.18
- Yearly mammography beginning between ages 25 to 35.18
- Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound and testing for CA-125 to detect ovarian cancer beginning between the ages of 25 to 35.18
- Consideration of investigational surveillance techni, such as magnetic resonance imaging
Chemoprevention
- Drugs such as tamoxifen may significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations.11
- Oral contraceptives have been associated with up to a 60 percent reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations when taken for six or more years.12
Prophylactic Surgery
- Prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer by at least 90 percent in women with BRCA mutations.13
- Prophylactic oophorectomy reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 96 percent and simultaneously reduces the risk of breast cancer by approximately 50 percent in women with BRCA mutations.14
» Benefits of BRACAnalysis® Testing
A genetic test for hereditary breast and
ovarian cancer
