Taking a Genetic Test on Your Own: What You Need to Know

Background

Have you heard about people taking a genetic test on their own and learning about genetic mutations that may raise their risk for cancer? This type of test, called a direct-to-consumer genetic test, can be taken without having a prescription from a doctor. It can tell you about your ancestry and genetic traits, including limited information about your risk for diseases like hereditary cancer.

What you need to know

For most people, a direct-to-consumer genetic test may not find if you have a higher risk for cancer.

The direct-to-consumer genetic test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks for 3—out of more than 1,000—breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutations that can increase your risk for breast, ovarian, and other cancers.

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests do not take into account non-BRCA gene mutations or non-genetic factors that can increase cancer risk.

If you are considering taking a test

A direct-to-consumer genetic test may not give you a complete understanding of your cancer risk, especially if cancer runs in your family. If you think you may be at higher risk for hereditary cancer, it is best to work with a doctor or genetic counselor who can assess your risk, interpret your results, and build an action plan.

Action steps

• Learn about your family's history of cancer.
• Tell your doctor about your family history.
• Ask your doctor if you are at high risk because of your family history.
• Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to assess your genetic risk and build an action plan.
• Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.

If you tested negative for a BRCA gene mutation

A negative result on a direct-to-consumer genetic test does not rule out the possibility that you carry other genetic mutations that increase your risk, including other BRCA genetic mutations not found by the test you took. If you have a family history of cancer, do not rely on a direct-to-consumer genetic test to assess your risk. Talk to your doctor about your results and what to do next.

Action steps

• Learn about your family's history of cancer.
• Tell your doctor about your family history.
• Ask your doctor if you are at high risk because of your family history.
• Tell your doctor about your negative test result.
• Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to assess your cancer risk and build an action plan.
• Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.

If you tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation

Talk to your doctor about your test results. If needed, your doctor can refer you for genetic counseling and you can create an action plan to manage your risk.

Action steps

• Learn about your family's history of cancer.
• Tell your doctor about your family history.
• Tell your doctor you tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation.
• Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to assess your cancer risk and build an action plan.
• Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.

If you’ve taken a test, but haven’t looked at the results

If you are scared or worried, take your test results to your doctor, who is better able to assess your cancer risk. Remember that a direct-to-consumer genetic test may not give you a complete understanding of your cancer risk, especially if it runs in your family.

Action steps

• Learn about your family's history of cancer.
• Tell your doctor about your family history.
• Take your results to your doctor, who can help you read them and understand what they mean.
• Ask your doctor if you need to work with a genetic counselor to assess your cancer risk and build an action plan.
• Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.