DTC test for BRCA mutations: What to tell patients who inquire

In this month’s audiocast. Dr. Campos-Outcalt addresses 5 questions that patients may ask about 23andMe, the recently approved direct-to-consumer test for 3 BRCA1/BRCA2 breast cancer gene mutations. (The test analyzes DNA from self-collected saliva samples and reports on whether a woman is at increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.) Dr. Campos-Outcalt provides suggestions in the event that patients ask questions like: Should I be tested? What if the results are negative? And, what if the results are positive?