Breast Cancer genetic testing | NJ.com

Breast Cancer genetic testing

I can't tell you how many people -- and not just doctors -- have asked me if breast cancer runs in my family.

Even though only a small percentage of breast cancer cases can be traced to the defective BRCA genes, most people vastly overestimate the role of family history.

Share Yes, I have an aunt who died of breast cancer. But as I told my oncologist, I come from a big Irish family on my father's side. You name it, I have a relative who died of it. She reviewed the limited information I gave her and said my risk seemed to be so low that my health insurance probably wouldn't even cover genetic testing. (That can run several thousand dollars.)

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Breast Cancer genetic testing | NJ.com