Taking a Genetic Test on Your Own: What You Need to Know
Have you heard about people taking a genetic test on their own and learning about genetic mutations that may raise their risk for breast cancer? This type of test, called a direct-to-consumer genetic test, can be taken at home. It can tell you about your ancestry and genetic traits, including limited information about your risk for diseases like breast cancer.
It’s important to know that this type of test may not give you a full understanding of your breast cancer risk, especially if breast cancer runs in your family.

For most women, a direct-to-consumer genetic test may not find if you have a higher risk for breast cancer.

The direct-to-consumer genetic test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks for 3—out of more than 1,000—BRCA gene mutations that can increase your risk for breast cancer.

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests do not take into account non-BRCA gene mutations or non-genetic factors that can increase breast cancer risk.
Direct-to-Consumer Tests (FDA)