Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. It will affect one in eight women in their lifetime. About 5-10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary. But the good news is that tests can determine whether a woman has inherited the mutated genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which cause breast cancer.

This testing is important because:

• Nearly 10 percent of women under the age of 40 with breast cancer have this mutation.
• Women who carry this mutation usually have a first- or second-degree relative who had premenopausal breast cancer or ovarian cancer at any age.
• A woman with a BRCA1 gene has an 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer and a 44 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer by the time she is 70. The risk for women with a BRCA2 gene mutation is estimated at 84 percent for breast cancer and 27 percent for ovarian cancer.

You may have heard in the news when actress Angelina Jolie tested positive for one of these markers and opted to remove the possible source of cancer. This is just an example of how when you are proactive about your health, you can catch issues early and make informed decisions for the best possible outcomes  The doctor will work with you to get to the root of your issues.

Remember, the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that it can be cured or successfully managed. Managing a disease, especially early in its course, may prevent or delay serious complications.

Contact us to find out if your insurance will cover your test.