Why Genetic Testing?
- Understand: medical implications of a positive or a negative test result, psychological risks and benefits of genetic test results, risk of passing a mutation to children
- Description of test(s) that might be used and the technical accuracy of the test(s)
Who Should Get Genetic Testing
- Multiple breast and/or ovarian cancers within a family (often diagnosed at an early age)
- Two or more primary cancers in a single family member (more than one breast cancer, or breast and ovarian cancer)
Cost of Genetic Testing
Genetic Testing ranges from a few hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars. Insurance policies range on the coverage they provide towards the testing. Contact your insurance company to find out the cost. You may also contact a local genetic testing company to see if they offer assistance for those who do not have coverage. Did your insurance deny you genetic testing? If so you have the right to appeal, contact Cancer Legal Resource Center.
To contact the CLRC, please call (866) THE-CLRC. You may locate a Genetic Counselor.
For financial assistance from Pink Gene Foundation, please email us your story at: info@pinkgenefoundation.org.
Preventive Measures
- Annual Mammogram
- Annual Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Annual Ultrasounds
- Genetic Counseling
- Breasts Exam each month after age 20
- Annual Breast Exam by a healthcare provider
- Breast examination
- Digital mammography
- Ultrasonography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning
- Scintimammography