At a glance
- Genes testedBRCA1 & BRCA2
- Lifetime risk if mutatedUp to 85% (vs. 12% average)
- SettingSimple saliva or blood sample
- IncludedFamily history counseling
Understanding your genetic predisposition to breast cancer can help you and your doctor make more informed decisions about your health — whether or not you have already been diagnosed. For your family, the implications can be just as important.
Why BRCA matters
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help repair damaged DNA in breast tissue cells. When one is damaged, cells can duplicate without control — dramatically raising lifetime breast cancer risk, from an average of 12% to as high as 85%. Most women who carry a BRCA mutation don’t know it. Women who do know can start screening earlier, take risk-reducing medication, or consider preventive surgery.
Who should be tested
RMI regularly screens women whose personal or family history suggests elevated risk: breast cancer before menopause, cancer in both breasts, male relatives with breast cancer, ovarian cancer at any age, or multiple family members with breast, ovarian or related cancers. Your 3D UltimateMamm® risk assessment may also flag BRCA testing as appropriate for you.
Simple, guided, actionable
Testing is a quick sample collected at our Davison, Lapeer or Petoskey offices. Your results come with counseling context — what they mean for you, for your screening plan, and for your family.