BRCA Germline

What is BRCA -NEXT Test?

BRCA is short for "breast cancer gene." A BRCA genetic test uses a sample of your blood, saliva (spit), or cells from inside of your cheek to look for changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that help prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA, controlling cell growth, and triggering cell death when repair isn’t possible. Mutations can prevent the genes from working properly, increasing the risk of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Since you inherit one copy of each gene from each parent, changes can be passed through families.

Why consider BRCA Next test?

Early Detection of Hereditary Cancer Risk

• The test helps identify inherited mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other high- and moderate-risk genes linked to breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
• It provides critical information before symptoms appear, enabling proactive health management

Personalized Risk Assessment

• Goes beyond just BRCA1/2 by analyzing a comprehensive panel of genes (depending on the provider), offering a broader understanding of hereditary cancer risk.
• Helps determine individual cancer risk more accurately than BRCA1/2 testing alone.

Informed Decision-Making - Empowers patients and physicians to make evidence-based decisions about:

• Cancer screening frequency and methods
• Risk-reducing strategies (e.g., preventive surgery, lifestyle changes)
• Treatment planning if a cancer diagnosis already exists

Guidance for Family Members

• If a mutation is found, family members can also be tested to understand their risks.
• Supports cascade testing to help relatives make informed decisions about their health.

Treatment Implications

• For cancer patients, BRCA mutations may impact treatment options, including the use of PARP inhibitors, immunotherapies, or platinum-based chemotherapies.
• Helps oncologists tailor therapies based on genetic findings.

Who should get this BRCA -NEXT Test?

• Individuals with a Personal History of Cancer and are diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger, triple-negative breast cancer, male breast cancer, ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, pancreatic cancer, aggressive or metastatic prostate cancer.
• Family history (first- or second-degree relatives) of Breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer. Multiple relatives with cancer, especially if diagnosed at a young age.
• Known BRCA1, BRCA2, or other hereditary cancer mutation in the family.
• When cancers (especially breast, ovarian, or prostate) occur at younger-than-expected ages in the family, even if genetic mutations are not yet identified.

More Information BRCA -NEXT Test

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two genes each of us inherits from their parents. These are termed tumor suppressors as they help prevent cells, including breast cells from growing and dividing uncontrollable. When BRCA1 and BRCA2 undergo mutations and fail to function normally, the risk of cancer increases. People who have inherited these mutations have a higher-than-average possibility of having breast cancers as well as ovarian cancers.

Other Names: BRCA 1, BRCA 2, BRCA Germline test, BRCA test, Breast cancer test, BRCA Next, BRCA by NGS, BRCA Gene Test, BRCA1 test, BRCA2 test