Genetic Testing (BRCA): Who Should Really Consider It?
A single blood test can rewrite the health story of an entire family. But it is not for everyone.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing has moved from an expensive Western privilege to a genuinely accessible tool in Indian oncology · but it is still widely misunderstood. This guide, written by Dr. Sujata Mittal · a gynaecologic oncologist who has counselled hundreds of Indian families through hereditary cancer risk · answers the practical question every woman with cancer in the family asks: should I actually get tested, and what will change if I do?
What BRCA Genes Actually Do
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumour-suppressor genes · every human has two copies of each. Their normal job is to repair damaged DNA. When one copy carries an inherited mutation, DNA damage accumulates faster, and the lifetime risk of certain cancers rises sharply · particularly breast cancer (up to 72%), ovarian cancer (up to 44%), and, in men, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Roughly 1 in 400 Indians carries a BRCA mutation · higher in certain communities.
Who Should Genuinely Consider Testing
- Any personal diagnosis of ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer · regardless of family history
- Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50
- Triple-negative breast cancer at any age
- Male breast cancer at any age
- Two or more first-degree relatives with breast or ovarian cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish or certain North Indian ancestry with any family history
- A known BRCA mutation already identified in a blood relative
What Testing Actually Involves
A single blood or saliva sample is sufficient. Results take 2-3 weeks in India. The test is either targeted (looking for a known family mutation · cheaper) or comprehensive (sequencing the full BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes · typically Rs. 12,000-25,000). At Famicare, testing is always preceded and followed by structured genetic counselling · a positive result changes not just your medical plan but potentially your family's, and it deserves careful conversation.
What Changes If the Test Is Positive
- Intensified screening · annual MRI plus mammography from age 25-30
- Discussion of risk-reducing mastectomy (reduces breast cancer risk by 90%+)
- Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy after childbearing (reduces ovarian cancer risk by 90%+ and breast cancer risk by 50%)
- Cascade testing for siblings, children and parents
- If cancer already exists · access to PARP inhibitors, a class of targeted therapy dramatically effective in BRCA-positive tumours
Why Dr. Sujata Mittal's Counselling Approach Is Different
BRCA counselling is not a checklist · it is a family conversation. Dr. Sujata Mittal has spent three decades sitting with Indian families through this decision, and she understands both the medicine and the cultural weight it carries · concerns about marriage, disclosure to in-laws, insurance, and children's futures. Famicare offers full pre-test counselling, in-house testing coordination, post-test counselling, and · when needed · risk-reducing surgery and long-term surveillance under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a positive BRCA result affect my insurance in India?
Indian insurers currently do not routinely ask about genetic testing, but this is evolving. We recommend securing life and health insurance before testing if this is a concern · and we discuss this openly in pre-test counselling.
If I test negative, am I safe from cancer?
You are back to general population risk · which is still meaningful. Continue age-appropriate screening (mammograms from 40, cervical screening, self-awareness). A negative test also does not rule out other, rarer hereditary syndromes.
Should I get my daughter tested?
Genetic testing in minors is only recommended for very specific conditions · BRCA is not one of them. Testing is typically offered from age 18-25, once she can consent and act on the information.
Is the test covered by insurance?
Increasingly yes, especially for patients with a personal cancer diagnosis. Famicare's team helps with pre-authorisation and documentation.
How do I start the process at Famicare?
Book a genetic counselling consultation with Dr. Sujata Mittal · a single 45-minute visit is enough to decide whether testing is right for you and, if so, to arrange the sample collection.
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer? Book a BRCA genetic counselling session with Dr. Sujata Mittal today.
Keep reading
View all →No Denominator, No Disclosure, No Consent
India’s HPV vaccination programme raises an important public-health question: not whether the vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, but whether its rollout is supported by transpare…
Preventive OncologyBest Colposcopy in North West Delhi & Rohini: Expert Care at Famicare Speciality Centre
Comprehensive guide to Colposcopy in Rohini & North West Delhi. Learn why expert evaluation is crucial for cervical health and preventive oncology led by Dr. Sujata Mittal.
Cancer Awareness