23andMe Provides Information About Breast Cancer Genes

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Certain types of breast cancer can run in families. 23andMe offers the first and only FDA-authorized, direct-to-consumer BRCA genetic health risk report. This test focuses on three specific variants of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

23andMe offers a genetic test for three variants of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to its Health + Ancestry Service customers. This test detects three selected variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Those variants are: BRCA1 185delAG; BRCA1 5382insC; and BRCA2 6174delT (which are the most studied and best understood).

Those variants are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish decent. It is possible for those variants to be found in people of other ethnicities, but this is rare. Those who have one of those variants have an increased risk of developing certain cancers.

To help inform people about BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, 23andMe put together something called: Do You Speak BRCA? The information on it can be accessed by anyone. People who are customers of 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry service can view it, and so can people who are not 23andMe customers.

There are some things you should know about 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Report. First, the test does not diagnose cancer and should not be used to make medical decisions. Second, it does not cover all of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants. It only covers three of them.

For those who have a personal history, or a family history, of breast cancer, 23andMe urges that they should talk with their doctor or a genetic counselor about it. In addition, be aware that 23andMe’s test does not describe an individual’s overall risk for developing any type of cancer. It is not a crystal ball.

According to 23andMe, most cases of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer are not caused by inherited BRCA variants. It is also important to know that it is possible for men to develop breast cancer.

Related Articles at FamilyTree.com:

* 23andMe has FDA Approval for Genetic Test for Breast Cancer

* Study: Breast Cancer Recovery Not Linked to Family History

* Reasons You Might Not Know Cancer Runs in Your Family

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