Should I Get Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Without Risk Factors?

If you have a personal history of breast cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) provides guidelines for genetic testing. I am not listing every indication here but will review a few examples. Genetic testing per NCCN Guidelines® is indicated if you are under age 50, or at any age for a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, or multiple primary breast cancers. Genetic testing is also indicated at any age if you have a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate cancer. The Outcomes4Me app also has a way to check if you are eligible for genetic testing. You may navigate to this by tapping on “SEE MORE STEPS'' from the home screen and then tapping on “check eligibility” under the “Do you need genetic testing?” section. If you are interested in genetic testing, but do not have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, you may want to consider genetic counseling first and a great resource is the National Society of Genetic Counselors (nsgc.org).

This is such an important question that many people wonder about, especially when navigating breast cancer concerns without obvious risk factors. Genetic testing decisions can feel complex, and it's completely understandable to seek guidance on whether testing makes sense for your specific situation. The best approach would be discussing this with your healthcare provider, who can evaluate your complete medical picture and help determine if genetic counseling or testing would be beneficial for you.