My Sister Aged 59 Has Recently Been Diagnosed With Breast

Posted on Tue, 28 Jan 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : My sister aged 59 has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. My grandmother also was diagnosed in her 60's. As her sister should I be tested for the BRCA gene?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
BRCA testing recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Considering your family history of breast cancer, BRCA testing is indicated. Usually we recommend it to a patient in the family rather than healthy relatives. Hence your sister is to be recommended BRCA analysis. If she tests positive then as a sib you could get tested. If she is negative, you need not test.

Alternatively, if that is not feasible, you could get yourself tested electively.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad