What are the implications of a positive BRCA test?
A positive BRCA test indicates a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Women with a BRCA1 mutation have a 55-65% chance of developing breast cancer and a 39% chance of developing ovarian cancer by age 70. For BRCA2, the risk is 45% for breast cancer and up to 17% for ovarian cancer. Knowing this risk can lead to proactive measures such as increased surveillance, prophylactic surgeries, or chemoprevention.
