Genetic testing for women affected by ovarian cancer

We offer genetic testing to people who have a common type of ovarian cancer. The test will help your doctor plan the best treatment for you. It can also give you information about your future cancer risk. Because we share genes with our relatives, the results may also provide information about their risk of developing cancer.

The test looks for changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. People who have an abnormality in the BRCA genes have an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The test also looks for other relevant gene changes which may increase the risk of ovarian, endometrial and bowel cancers.

The test consists of two parts:

• genetic testing of your blood, also referred to as germline testing. It involves taking a sample of your blood and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. You will need to give your consent to have this test. The results may take up to 12 weeks to come back. 

  If a change in one of the genes is detected in your blood sample, your relatives might carry the same genetic change and be at risk of cancer. Please note that both men and women can carry the gene change.

• genetic testing of your tumour, also referred to as somatic testing. It involves sending a sample of your tumour, taken at the time of diagnosis or during surgery, to a specialist laboratory for analysis. The results take about five weeks to come back. If abnormality is found in the tumour but there are no gene changes in your blood sample, this has no impact on your relatives.

These are the possible results of the test: 

1. A significant change in one of the genes is found in your blood sample and tumour sample. This result may help you to make a decision about your treatment. It may also confirm that your risk of another cancer is increased. Your relatives may have an increased risk of cancer too and it will be possible for them to have  a genetic test. They may be offered extra screening to detect the early signs of cancer. Or they may be advised about other steps they can take to reduce their risk.

   If you are a parent and carry a gene change, the chance of your child inheriting it is one in two (50%).

2. A significant change in one of these genes is found in your tumour sample but not in your blood sample. This means that we have not identified a genetic cause for your cancer and your relatives are not at an increased risk of cancer. Your doctor will use this information to plan your treatment.

3. Genetic testing of your blood finds a change that is difficult to interpret. Sometimes the result of the genetic testing of your blood is unclear and we cannot interpret it in a useful way. Further information about your family history or additional tests may help.

If your genetic test does not find any genetic changes but you have a family history of cancer, it is still possible that your relatives may have an increased risk of developing cancer. If you think this applies to you, talk to your GP or hospital doctor.

The doctor who has arranged the test for you will give you your result. This will usually be at your next routine visit. 

If your blood test finds a change in one of the genes, they will refer you to the genetics service. 

The genetic specialists will talk to you about your result and what it might mean for you and your relatives. You will have a chance to ask questions and think about the best way forward.

If you don’t have genetic testing of either your blood or your tumour, you will not be able to access new treatments specifically for women with a BRCA mutation. Your doctor will then use the standard information available from the tumour biopsy or surgery to plan your treatment. 

The genetics team will also be unable to carry out a full risk assessment for your family members. This means that the risk assessment would be based on your family history alone.

If you would like more information, please speak to your hospital doctor.

Gynae-oncology department
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6AG
Team PA telephone: 020 3447 8047 / 8025

The Macmillan Support and Information Service offers advice, support and information to anyone affected by cancer. This includes your friends, family and carers who are supporting you.

It’s located on the ground floor of the Cancer Centre where the support and information specialists can tell you more about the support available. You don’t need an appointment to visit and the team will see you as quickly as possible.

Helpline: 020 3447 3816

General enquiries: 020 3447 8663

Email: uclh.supportandinformation@nhs.net

Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday