(NAPSA)—If you're like many Americans, you may have heard about the BRCA gene and wondered what it is and whetherit is something that could affect you and your family. Here are a few facts. BRCA is short for “BReast CAncer susceptibility gene.” There are two main types of BRCA gene, BRCAI and BRCA2. When these changes are present, a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, as well as some other types of cancer, is greatly increased. However, mutations in the BRCA genes are rare, and occur in less than 1 percent of women. A BRCA test is a blood test that looks for mutations, or changes that might be harmful, in these genes. Whois at risk? Mutations in the BRCA gene are hereditary, so they run in families. Most women—more than 90 percent—do not have a family history that puts them at increased risk of having a BRCA mutation. You are at increased risk of having a BRCA mutation if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent or if there is a history of certain types of cancer in your family. For example, you are at increased risk if there have been multiple cases of breast cancer in your family, you have a male relative with breast cancer or you have a family member whohas had anyof the following: a breast cancer diagnosis before age 50, breast cancer in both breasts or two types of BRCA-related cancer—such as both breast and ovarian cancer. Whoshould be tested? According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a If you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family, talk to your doctor about genetic screening. woman with a family history of BRCA-related cancer should be screened by her primary care doctor or nurse to determineif she is at increased risk of having a BRCA mutation. During this screening, the doctor or nurse will ask questions about the history of BRCA-related cancer in a woman’s family. After screening, women who are found to be at increased risk should see a genetic counselor, a type of health care professional who specializes in genes and disease. A genetic counselor may recommend BRCA testing based on that counseling. Before this type of screening, most doctors will first test a family member with known breast or ovarian cancer for a BRCA mutation, if possible. The BRCAtest is not a test for cancer itself, but rather a test for the gene mutation and a positive test does not mean that a woman will definitely get cancer. For women whoare at increased risk of having a BRCA mutation, genetic counseling and genetic testing can help them determine their best course of action based on their risk. The BRCAtest is only recommended for women who are at increased risk for certain types of cancers. This is because the test does not always provide a clear answer—results are often inconclusive, which can lead to increased anxiety. All womencanreducetheir cancerrisk While a BRCA gene mutation can be frightening, it is not some- thing that most women need to worry about. All women can reduce their risk of cancer by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as limiting alcohol, not smoking, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. Receiving regular mammogramsis also an importanttool to help identify breast cancer early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammogramsevery other year for women aged 50 to 74 and for some womenin their 40s based on their values about the benefits and harmsof screening. Recommendations to protect your health The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of national experts in primary care, prevention, and evi- dence-based medicine. The aim of the Task Force’s work is to evaluate and identify critical preventive health services that a primary care professional can perform. For more information on the Task Force and to read its full report on risk assessment, genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women, visit www.uspreventiveservices taskforce.org.
