What is involved in the BRCA test?

I had the BRCA test in 2002.  It was simply a blood test and results took about 4 months.  I'm in Canada so I don't know if there would be any difference in the time it takes to get the results where you are.

I had the test down recently and I think it was only 3 weeks to get the results.

My sister just had hers and it took three weeks for results. Mine took a week and a half. The medical group I go to has a contract with Myriad so who knows if that sped my results up??

I had a phone interview with my geneticist and she drew up my family tree after asking a lot of questions regarding my family. I then had an appointment in her office and she personally walked me down to the lab to have my blood drawn. The sample was sent overnight. Per a previous arrangement, I received my results over the phone and went to see her the following week to discuss the results. She has been phenomenal and has met with my sister and oldest daughter so that they can ask questions..

Linda

Another data point:  my BRCA test results were back exactly 2 weeks after the blood was drawn.  I'm in Alabama, and the test is done in Utah I think, so there was no geographic advantage.  The genetics counselor had no reason to hurry the test results for me, because I'd already had my surgery and everyone suspected my BRCA results would be negative.  (They were.)  The genetics counselor said it would take 2 weeks, and she was right.

otter 

My surgeon recommended/ordered the test (based on young age of onset and me being adopted so being unable to give a family history). Myriad said the results would be back in two weeks. The nurse who called to ask the results told me that Myriad was getting quicker with the results as time went on.

Multiple members of my family have recently had the BRCA2 test, as it had been confirmed that more than one had the deleterious mutation in the BRCA2 gene. Myriad in Utah is the only lab in the country with the patent to do this test, so no matter where you live, your sample will go there. I"ve seen results in as little as 2 weeks, sometimes longer. It appears to be related more to insurance payment than the actual test.

It is a simple blood test. If any relative has already been positive, give your counselor/MD a copy of their results. It can save alot of money because then they can  test just for that particular mutation. It can reduce the cost of the test from thousands to just hundreds if you have a relative's test result.Sort of like just looking in Atlanta instead of the whole state of Georgia.

One piece of information that surprised me was that I inherited it from my father. Men carry this and pass it along. Look at your family tree for all cases of breast, ovarian, and other cancers.I found out because 2  cousins on my father's side developed breast cancer, as well as one of their daughters.