Overview

Up to 14% of ovarian cancer is due to a hereditary change such as a BRCA mutation. Because such a significant portion of ovarian cancer is hereditary, an appointment with an expert such as a geneticist or a genetic counselor is often recommended after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Learning that ovarian cancer is hereditary may change follow-up recommendations. Further, if a cancer survivor is the first person to have a genetic test in a family, his/her test result may help identify the cause of hereditary cancer in this family. This information can help other family members make decisions about genetic counseling and testing. 

Ovarian cancer survivors with a BRCA mutation or hereditary cancer have a higher likelihood than women with sporadic cancer of developing breast cancer. Options for risk management of breast cancer in ovarian cancer survivors are similar to option for cancer previvors who have never been diagnosed.