Q: How is the BRACAnalysis® test performed?
A: A small amount of blood is drawn from the
patient and then sent to Myriad Genetic Laboratories for analysis
via the process of
gene sequencing.
Q: How long does it take to get
BRACAnalysis® test results?
A: Test results are usually available in three
weeks. The results are sent to the provider who ordered the
test.
Q: Will a patient's health insurance pay for the
BRACAnalysis® test?
A: Most health insurance plans pay for
BRACAnalysis®. Your patients can call the Myriad
Reimbursement Assistance Program (MRAP) at
Q: Can a health insurance provider discriminate against
a patient based on his or her 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 a patient has already had breast cancer, what
specifically does a positive BRACAnalysis® result
indicate?
A: People with a
BRCA1
or
BRCA2
mutation are at a greater risk of developing a new cancer, either
in the ovaries or the breast. Knowing a patient's BRCA
status can help you take steps to reduce this risk or detect
another potential cancer at an early, more treatable stage.
Q: If no one in the family has had ovarian cancer, does
a woman with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation still have
to worry about it?
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.
» Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) Overview
A genetic test for hereditary breast and
ovarian cancer
