When is a good time

There is probably no recommendation.  I think the person must be able to give legal consent though.  It is a very individual decision.

Some people who have a bad family history choose not to get tested for BRCA,and some who are BRCA positive choose not to have bilateral mastectomies.

  Usually if a person has a bad family history of breast/ovarian cancer, they prefer to first test a person who has had the breast cancer - and it may be the first person in the family who got breast cancer (if that is possible - if they are still alive - for some families they have documented breast cancer going back for many, many generations.)

Some people with a horrible family history get negative BRCA results. 

The purpose of the first genetic counseling meeting is to inform you of the possible consequences of genetic testing, and what they may mean to you emotionally.  They usually indicate that genetic testing may want to be done if it would change treatment decisions.

The genetics counselor should not be pressuring you for or against genetic testing. 

They usually  recommend to start screening daughters when they are about 10 years younger than their mother got breast cancer. 

It is a difficult decision.  

I went to a board-certified genetics counselor at a major university.  She was well-trained in counseling skills.  You do NOT have to make the decision when you are counseled.  You need to follow your own path.  You need to make this decision when YOU are ready, not when anyone else is ready.

Hi My mom had breast cancer and  tested positive for the BRCA 2 mutation.  (I never had cancer) but contacted the hospital and asked to be tested. I tested positive as well. At first I was terrifed. I cried for months. Then I decided to make use of this knowledge. My family doctor told me to use this as a positive experience. That I have choices that others did not.  

But after meeting over 10 specialists, plastic surgeons and genetic councellors I decided at age 40 to have an oopherectomy and mastectomy with implants. I wanted to reduce my risk as much as I possible can. I felt that a MRI along with mammography was a great alternative but I didn't make me feel safe. Again I felt that it would only tell me when the cancer arrived. Yes early detection is great but I did not want the cancer at all (early or not).  I discussed this long and hard with my husband and kids and decided to take action and do everything I could to significantly reduce my chances of breast and ovarian cancer.  It truly is a personal choice and  what could one can live with.

Should i choose surveillance and then live everyday in fear or have the surgery and know that i did everything i could to prevent the big C.

Take your time meet as many professionals as you can, meet with other who are BRCA  carriers, attend support groups, gather information as we know Knowledge is power.  Only you can make that call and do what you are comfortable with.