Who should be tested for a mutation in the BRCA genes?

The attending physician will evaluate certain criteria in the patient’s personal and family medical history to determine if a consultation with a genetic counselor is advised.

At the meeting with the genetic counselor, the possible risks and benefits of the BRCA gene test will be considered. Ultimately, the patient’s decision to undergo genetic testing is personal.

The BRCA gene test is also recommended for people of Ashkenazi descent. This is because one in 40 people in the Ashkenazi population has a mutation in one of the two BRCA1 / BRCA2 genes. In Israel, the test is included in the health basket for women of Ashkenazi descent (since 2020), regardless of personal or family history of breast cancer.