Ovarian Cancer: Genetic Testing for Inherited Mutations
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Sign Up for FORCE NewslettersGenetic Testing for People Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer
People with ovarian cancer should ask about genetic testing
Up to 25% of people diagnosed with ovarian cancer have an that caused their cancer. There are national guidelines that outline who should consider genetic counseling and testing for an linked to cancer. Speak with an expert about genetic testing for the following situations.
Experts recommend all people diagnosed with , ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer at any age have genetic counseling and testing. About 1 out of 4 women diagnosed with one of these cancers will test positive for an .
People diagnosed with ovarian cancer may benefit from additional genetic counseling and expanded genetic testing if they had genetic testing in the past, tested negative, and:
- they had a test that only looked for one or a few genes, or
- they had genetic testing before 2014. Genetic testing has improved, and laboratories can now find gene mutations that may have previously been missed.
All ovarian cancer survivors and those in treatment should speak with a genetics expert to decide if genetic testing is right for them.
Related Resources
The following organizations have resources related to ovarian cancer.
- FORCE resources:
- Information: Ovarian cancer screening and prevention
- Information: Ovarian cancer treatment
- Personalized portal: Ovarian cancer
- XRAY category: Ovarian cancer
- Video: What's new in gynecologic cancer screening and prevention?
- Video: What's new in gynecologic cancer treatment?
- Video: Options for Ovarian Cancer
- Video playlist: Ovarian cancer
- Blogs: Ovarian cancer
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Patients: Ovarian Cancer
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
- Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
- Clearity Foundation