BRCA-Related Cancer: Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care providers conduct a risk assessment for women who are at an increased risk of having mutations in specific genes that are associated with increased cancer risk. Specifically, USPSTF recommends that providers assess women for mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes if they meet at least 1 of these criteria: 

• Have had breast, ovarian, or peritoneal cancer
• Have a family history of breast, ovarian, or peritoneal cancer
• Are part of a population that’s associated with increased risk for BRCA mutation

USPSTF recommends that providers offer counseling about genetic testing to all women they assess as having an increased risk for BRCA mutations, and provide testing for those who want it after counseling. For women who aren’t at an increased risk, USPSTF recommends against routine risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing.