By 2025, over 2,00,000 cases of breast cancer and nearly 50,000 cases of ovarian cancer are estimated to be reported annually in India. For women in India there is a 8-12% risk of developing breast cancer and 1.2% risk of developing Ovarian cancer (inclusive of hereditary mutations and non hereditary causes)

Ideally, as a precaution, every woman over 30 years should be tested for Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer related genetic mutations. However, individuals with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer are predisposed towards HBOC and surely get tested.

A harmful genetic variant can be passed onto the next generation from either the maternal or paternal side of the family.

The main difference between the HBOC Basic Test and HBOC Comprehensive Test is the number of genes that are being tested. The HBOC Basic Test covers 4 Genes, while the HBOC Comprehensive Test covers 19 genes. The 4 genes in HBOC Basic Test account for ~95% of all Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer cases in the Indian population. The HBOC Comprehensive test increases the coverage further.

BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. Everyone has two copies of each of these genes—one copy inherited from each parent. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are sometimes called tumor suppressor genes because when they have certain changes, called harmful (or pathogenic) variants (or mutations), cancer can develop.

Positive result: This means that a person has a potentially harmful mutation in one of the breast cancer associated genes. This means that they have a higher risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer than anyone in the general population.. However, a positive test result doesn’t mean that someone will surely develop cancer.

No, a positive genetic test result does not, by itself, mean a person has cancer. It means that the person has a genetic variation which makes him/her more susceptible to develop cancer when compared to the general population

No, a positive test result does not necessarily mean a person will be affected with cancer. It only increases a person’s risk of developing cancer in a lifetime, when compared to the general population.

Anyone with a ‘Positive’ result in a Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) genetic test should consult with a Medical Practitioner (Gynecologist, Medical Oncologist etc) to determine subsequent increased surveillance (frequent checks). They may suggest increased surveillance through breast MRI, annual mammography, and semi-annual clinical breast exam and other precautionary interventions.

The direct medical harms of genetic testing are minimal, but knowledge of test results, whether positive or negative, may have harmful effects on a person’s emotions, social relationships, finances, and medical choices.

Strand Life Sciences is a global genomic profiling company and leader in precision medicine diagnostics, aimed at empowering genetic testing for inherited diseases. For 15 years, our genomics products and solutions have facilitated the work of leading researchers and medical geneticists in over 2,000 laboratories and 100 hospitals around the world.

You can order this test on one of our partner sites (such as Jio Health Hub, Netmeds) or directly on our website. If you initiate the order on the partner sites, you will receive an SMS and email directing you to the Strand website (beta.strandls.com/strandlp/) to complete the order by 1. completing the Test Requisition Form and 2. making the payment. After order completion, you will receive a call from our customer service representative to schedule an appointment for a phlebotomist visit to collect your sample. You should receive the test report within 21 days after sample collection

All payments are to be strictly done in electronic format using the payment gateway on our site (beta.strandls.com/strandlp/)