Insurance won't cover BRCA test

I am sorry to hear that your friend's insurance will not cover the test.  The current BRCA testing has significant limitations.  It does not test for or identify all mutations of the BRCA 1 and 2 genes and does not test for other genes that can cause breast cancer.  Family history can be more indicative than BRCA testing.  If only your friend's mother had BC and no other relatives had BC or OC, her risk is not considered high as most BC is not considered genetic.  Some of us have 4 or more close relatives and several further back, direct line relatives with BC and OC - that is high risk.    

Yes, it is just one piece of the puzzle and only a very tiny % of women carry the genes. Perhaps she could speak with a genetic counselor who can help put her risk in perspective and, hopefully, allay her fears.

Just jumping in this thread and read a lot of your recent posts.



Usually they don't test you for BRCA unless you meet some criteria. Like for me. My mother had breast cancer at 34, then my sister at 29. And my sister tested positive for BRCA1.



We are Ashkenazi Jews and that means we are more likely to carry the mutated gene. My sisters insurance paid the couple thousand dollars for the complete BRCA1 & 2 testing, while my insurance denied the test. Claiming it is not a diagnoses, which it is not. However, I spent 2 years trying to figure out how to get them to pay and finally Myriad called me and had some recommendations. Since they knew where and what mutation my sister had and that I am Jewish they only had to test 3 genes. Now that only cost $500ish. My insurance paid authorized it and paid for it.



I never wated the test because it wouldn't have changed my screening due to family history. And I was afraid I would be labeled or who knows what else. It was hard to face, but I want to tell everyone that the BRCA1 positive result made my doctors really keep an eye out.



Fast forward 1 year later I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the only reason they actually acted on a biopsy is due to the BRCA.



Keep fighting, if you really want the test.

I wanted to comment on this thread as well as I am a bc survivor of 7.5 years diagnosed at age 41.  I also had a sister diagnosed at age 42.  Kathy died in 2012. My youngest sister tested negative for BRCA1 and 2 gene.  I have never been tested but will before my next Annual testing is due so I can get put into the High Risk Screening program which includes an MRI.

I am Canadian, so I am not sure our rules are the same for genetic testing.

My sister who is 50 had to fight to get an MRI...she had to go for genetic counselling (they would not do genetic test as she didnt have bc already and there were only two of us although sisters diagnosed with bc - you need three first degree relatives with bc to be considered for testing).  She now may have bc as well, MRI and other tests found a 1cm lump in her right breast.  She has a biopsy on June 17...when will this disease ever leave our family alone?

As other posters have said, only a small number of women test positive for the BRCA1/2 genes- but there are other genetic genes that have not yet been identified.

Michele