{"id":4491,"date":"2025-08-29T18:16:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T18:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wih\/?page_id=4491"},"modified":"2025-09-02T20:04:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T20:04:33","slug":"brca-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wih\/gynecology\/brca-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"BRCA Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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BRCA testing finds mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Researchers know that BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that suppress cancerous (malignant) tumors in humans. When these genes mutate in specific ways we know that they do not have the ability to suppress cancer. This puts the patient at an increased risk for certain cancers.<\/p>

Mutations in these genes increase a woman\u2019s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, as well as cancer that occurs in the cervix, uterus, colon, pancreas, and even the gallbladder and stomach.<\/p>

Our\u00a0Grapevine gynecologists<\/a>\u00a0are particularly interested in BRCA testing due to the increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that the risk of breast cancer in the general population is 12%, but patients with the BRCA1 mutation have a 55-65% risk, and those who have the BRCA2 mutation have a 45% risk. For ovarian cancer, while the general risk to the population of developing this cancer is 1.4%, patients with the BRCA1 mutation have a 39% risk, and those with the BRCA2 mutation have an 11-17% risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Which patients benefit from BRCA testing?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Patients who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may consider asking the family member who has had cancer to undergo BRCA testing. If her test indicates that she has a mutation, then the patient will want to talk with our Grapevine gynecologists about having BRCA screening.<\/p>

If the patient cannot determine that a family member has the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, she should also talk to our physicians about pursuing BRCA testing. There are other factors that should prompt patients to consider BRCA testing besides the all-important family history factor.<\/p>