This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision - making process or rely on your doctors recommendation.Key points in making your decisionEarly - stage breast cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the breast

This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision - making process or rely on your doctors recommendation.Key points in making your decisionThe two types of surgery to treat breast cancer are: Surgery to remove the breas

Whether to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a personal choice. Be sure you understand your options, how long it will take to recover, and what kind of follow-up you will need.

The average woman has a 1 or 2 in 100 chance of getting ovarian cancer in her lifetime. That means that for every 100 women,1 or 2 will get ovarian cancer sometime during their lives and 98 or 99 will not.

This tool will help you find answers to these questions: How do you know if you are at high risk for breast cancer? What are your choices if youre at high risk? What does it mean to have extra checkups and testing?

A breast cancer gene test can help women find out if they have inherited a gene change that can make them much more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer. The test looks for changes,or mutations,in two genes that are related to breast and ovarian cancer.

The blood test for breast or ovarian cancer looks for changes, or mutations, in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help control cell growth. Cancer occurs when cells change and grow out of control. Women who inherit these BRCA gene changes have a

A negative result means you do not have changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. A positive result means you do have a change on one or both of the genes. Sometimes the test result is uncertain-neither positive nor negative. It may take several weeks for you to get t

No test is 100% accurate. The BRCA test cannot find all possible changes to the genes. It is possible that the test may show you do not have genetic changes when you do. This is called a false - negative test result.Your test would be most helpful if you first

You may have several reasons to have the test:If you test positive, you would consider steps to lower your chance of cancer. These steps might include: For breast cancer, regular clinical breast exams and mammograms, taking medicine, or having your breast tiss

You may have several reasons not to have the test:You may face difficult emotions. You may be afraid and anxious if you test positive. You may feel guilty if you test negative and someone in your family tests positive.You are concerned about how the results mi

CitationsNational Cancer Institute (2002). Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2: Its your choice. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA. ...

AuthorJan Nissl, RN, BSEditorSusan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBAAssociate EditorTracy LandauerPrimary Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family MedicineSpecialist Medical ReviewerSiobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive GeneticsLast UpdatedOctober 1, 2005 ...

Understanding breast cancer detection.

Information on diagnostic techniques that are used screen for and detect breast cancer.

Learn how to perform breast self-exams, why they are important, and what to do if you find a lump.

Explains why a clinical breast exam by your doctor or other health professional is an important part of routine physical checkups, when to schedule a breast exam, and what to expect.

Information about breast cancer mammograms including how to prepare, what you should wear, and what happens during the mammogram procedure.

Learn about abnormal mammogram results, which dont necessarily mean that you have cancer.

A breast ultrasound can help screen and detect whether a breast lump is a cyst or a solid mass.