Genetic Test Introduced for High-Risk Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Earlier this year, myBRCA screening test for breast cancer 1/2 (BRCA1 and BRCA2) genes was introduced as the most out-of-pocket affordable breast and ovarian cancer screening test and myBRCA is currently offered in over 20 countries worldwide and received the European CE marking in 2015.

A recently published clinical study performed over 10 years at Massachusetts General, Stanford, and Beth Israel Deaconess hospitals supports the use of this test. The myBRCA HiRisk panel also includes genes known to be associated with Lynch syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and several other genetic syndromes, including Bloom syndrome, Fanconi Anemia, and Ataxia Telangiectasia.

The authors of the study concluded, “In a clinically representative cohort, multigene panel testing for HBOC risk assessment yielded findings likely to change clinical management for substantially more patients than does BRCA1/2 testing alone. This approach may improve clinical outcomes for high-risk individuals and their families and will improve cancer risk assessment and management recommendations for mutation-affected individuals across a broad spectrum of cancer predisposition genes.”

The Veritas Genetics' (Boston, MA, USA) high-risk panel test identifies germline mutations in 26 genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are associated with increased risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer as well as other associated cancers. myBRCA HiRisk also tests for structural rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2. myBRCA costs USD 199, does not require insurance authorization and includes genetic counseling and can be performed using a saliva or blood sample.

Joseph V. Thakuria, MD, Genetics Chief Medical Officer at Veritas Genetics, said, “Screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, as offered through the myBRCA test, should be the first step in a HBOC cancer prevention regimen for most people. The needs of patients in the high-risk category are served much better with the more comprehensive approach offered with our new myBRCA HiRisk multigene panel.”

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