Did you know? … Any person with a personal or a family history of ovarian cancer should be offered genetic counseling and testing.

Up to 20% of women with ovarian cancer have an inherited mutation that caused the ovarian cancer.

Ideally, the first person tested in a family is the person who had the cancer, but if that person has passed away, or is not interested in testing, then their close relatives can have testing.

There are a lot of different gene mutations that can contribute to ovarian cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are the most common hereditary cause of ovarian cancer, but there are over 20 other genes that can also contribute to ovarian cancer risk.

Fewer than 20% of women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer who meet criteria for testing have undergone genetic testing.

Identifying inherited mutations can direct cancer treatment, alter screening and surgery decision-making, and provide life-saving information for the patient and their relatives.

Genetic testing can be complicated! Meeting with a genetic counselor ensures that you have a good understanding of what the testing can and cannot tell you, so you can make an informed decision about genetic testing.  A counselor will also help to interpret your test results and explain them to you in a way that you can understand.