Breast Cancer: Determine Your Risk, Know Your Options

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The most important way to join the fight against breast cancer is to educate women about their individual risk, and the options for those at high risk.

"The majority of women do not have a BRCA gene mutation, but other factors may place some at high risk for breast cancer," said Amber Trivedi, M.S., C.G.C., who leads genetics educational initiatives at InformedDNA. "It's important for women to know whether or not genetic testing can help, to learn about options for those at high risk, and how to access these services."

It may be appropriate for a woman to meet with a genetics expert if: she or a close relative has had breast or ovarian cancer; a male relative has had breast cancer; any blood relative was diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50; a relative has had triple negative breast cancer; a blood relative has a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation, or other mutation known to increase breast cancer risk.

Women who are concerned about breast cancer will find good news in the Affordable Care Act, which will require insurers to pay for genetic counseling and testing for women with a qualifying family history of breast or ovarian cancer without cost-sharing.

In addition to genetic testing, high-risk women will have access to genetic counselors to inform them about the benefits and limitations of their medical options, and facilitate informed decision making about breast cancer risk reduction.

Trivedi said that while the new coverage is important, there are some circumstances still not covered, including prophylactic surgery for high-risk women and genetic counseling and testing for men concerned about breast cancer.

About InformedDNA
InformedDNA brings the promise of personalized healthcare to life by helping individuals and healthcare providers better understand family health history and genetics. InformedDNA is the authority on the appropriate use of genetic testing – leveraging expertise from the largest network of independent genetic specialists to ensure health plans, hospitals, employers,  clinicians, and patients have access to the highest quality genetic services. InformedDNA's offerings include clinical genetic counseling, genetic testing utilization management, and personalized risk assessment and prevention solutions.

SOURCE InformedDNA