Hereditary Ovarian Cancer

Approximately 10–15 percent of ovarian cancer and seven percent of breast cancer cases are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.  Individuals who carry a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a condition called Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome, which is associated with an up to 63 percent risk of ovarian cancer and an up to 87 percent risk of breast cancer by age 70.^1-5 Mutation carriers who have already been diagnosed with cancer also have a significantly increased risk of developing a second cancer. Myriad offers gene panel testing that can be used to identify patients who are carriers of the BRCA1, BRCA2 or other gene mutations.

Who Should Be Tested for BRCA1 or BRCA2 Gene Mutations with Myriad MyRisk

If a patient’s personal or family history indicates that he/she may be at increased risk of HBOC and other syndromes, genetic test results provide the most accurate means of assessing cancer risk. Knowing the potential risk can help you make better, more informed decisions about your patient’s health, before the onset of cancer or before a second cancer has developed.

Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer with the Myriad MyRisk Hereditary Cancer panel should be considered if:*

The Patient:

• Has had breast cancer at age 50 or younger
• Has had ovarian cancer at any age
• Is male and has had breast cancer at any age
• Is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and has a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, prostate or pancreatic cancer

The Patient’s Family:

• Has had two breast cancers in the same person or on the same side of the family
• Has had someone diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at any age
• Has had pancreatic cancer and an HBOC-associated** cancer in the same person or on the same side of the family
• Has three or more family members with breast cancer on the same side of the family
• Has had a previously identified BRCA1,  BRCA2 or other gene mutation in the family

You can use the Myriad Hereditary Cancer Quiz as a tool to help you identify patients who may benefit from hereditary cancer testing.

Get Your Custom Hereditary Cancer Quiz

Using the Results of Hereditary Cancer Testing to Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk

Myriad MyRisk^® hereditary cancer genetic test confirms the presence of a BRCA1, BRCA2 or other gene mutation, the following medical management options may help to reduce your patient’s ovarian cancer risk and may either prevent or delay the onset of cancer or detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, when outcomes are better:^†

• Increased surveillance for ovarian cancer
• Increased surveillance for breast cancer
• Increased surveillance for other cancers
• Risk-reducing medications
• Prophylactic surgery, such as mastectomy or oophorectomy

Using Hereditary Cancer Testing Results to Improve Patient Care

Hereditary cancer genetic testing results can assist you in developing personalized medical management plans that help you:

• Maximize patient care and increase clinical efficiency by targeting increased surveillance and other interventions to patients with a BRCA1, BRCA2or other gene mutation.
• Improve outcomes and reduce medical costs through earlier diagnosis and treatment of cancer, should it develop.
• Counsel patients and their families on the underlying causes of the pattern of ovarian, breast and/or other cancer in their family and how this might affect their cancer risk.
• Avoid unnecessary interventions for family members who do not test positive for the mutation known to be in the family.

*Assessment criteria are based on individual medical society guidelines.

**HBOC-associated cancers are breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic.

^†Any discussion of medical management options is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. While genetic testing and medical society guidelines provide important and useful information, all medical management decisions should be made based on consultation between each patient and his or her healthcare professional.