BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing from a lab other than Myriad

GiseleB

Hi I know that Myriad has a patent on BRCA1/2 testing but what if there was a lab outside of North America that provides the same service but only at a fraction of the cost.  What are your opinions?  I found a lab but I was not sure.

ballet12

I don't know that I would trust the results of an outside lab.  That's the problem.  If it comes back positive, would you trust it, or feel you needed to retest with Myriad?  What about negative? 

I know that there are other researchers in the United States who are doing research on this.  Don't know if they would test you.

GiseleB

I agree if it was some sketchy lab but what if it was credible.  Plus I heard this test is very simple to do but other labs just cant do it because of the patent.

How important is the genetic councellor and physician when someone wants to determine the BRCA mutations?

Thanks

exbrnxgrl

I don't know about the technical aspects of testing the blood sample, i.e. if it is simple, but how do you verify the credibility of this lab? The test is proprietary thus far ,so I'm not sure that another lab can guarantee that they are testing for the same things that Myriad is testing for. Even if you could verify the fidelity of the test, you raise a good point when asking about genetic counseling. Here is what my genetic counselor and genetic psychologist did for me:

- determined if I fell into a group at risk for BRCA mutations

- set me up with an online class on BRCA mutations that explained what they were/were not and helped me understand what questions and options would need to be explored if I tested positive. Also, explained the implications for family members

- provided post-test support and explained the lengthy results data from Myriad



I really appreciated the information and support. I had read and heard quite a few things that turned out not to be true, so the education alone was worth it.

Caryn

GiseleB

Hi you made some very good points. The method is not proprietary but yes I know that credibility is a concern.  I guess there is no way around Myriad?  besides the patent will end soon and I am sure other labs may want to jump on and provide a very similar service.

exbrnxgrl

I stand corrected. The method is not proprietary but they do have a proprietary database of gene sequencing and mutations. I think their patents expire in 2014/2015. Yes, other labs will jump on it and perhaps even newer methods for looking at genetic mutations will appear.

Caryn