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To Whom It May Concern:
Shortly after I was diagnosed, my care team wanted to have a better understanding of my genetic makeup to see if I had any gene mutations that increased my risk for breast cancer.
Mutations in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, etc. are known to influence breast cancer risk. My doctor ordered multiple panels, and my results came back negative. I was not surprised because cancer never ran in my family. After connecting with so many of you, I was surprised to see how many young women with breast cancer also tested negative!
It saddens me that we still don’t have an answer to the question, “What causes breast cancer?” specifically for women who have no genetic mutations. However, women who may have genetic mutations can get tested to confirm. This is one teeny tiny piece of the puzzle that has been solved, but there is so much more research that needs to be done.
I am a strong advocate of prevention and early detection. I believe knowledge is power, and knowledge can allow us to take action. I am grateful for companies like Invitae that give us the opportunity to be proactive when it comes to our health.
Based on my insurance, I paid $70 for my entire genetic testing process. After my blood was drawn at my doctor’s office, my results were returned to my doctor approximately 7 days later. Invitae also included a televisit with a genetic counselor who walked me through my results and educated me further on gene mutations related to breast cancer. On top of that, Invitae has an online portal where I was able to access all my test results, pay my $70 bill, etc. My experience with Invitae was seamless!
If you would like to get your genes tested for personal or family planning purposes, I suggest you speak to your doctor. Your doctor’s office can then help you coordinate the entire process and let you know how much you need to pay out-of-pocket based on your health insurance.
Did your genetic test results come back positive or negative?
Breast regards,
Michelle
