Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer can help you make important healthcare and lifestyle decisions, and take preventive action. Testing can help you:

• Make informed decisions about hormone replacement therapy and birth control
• Start high-risk screening practices, if recommended
• Give at-risk family members information about their risk
• Consider the most effective options to reduce your risk 

There are three different tests for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer:

1. Full Sequencing looks for thousands of gene changes in the DNA of two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. This test is appropriate when you are the first person in your family to test and you're not Ashkenazi Jewish.
2. Multisite Testing looks for the three specific gene changes that are associated with the majority of cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
3. Single Site Testing can be done when a specific BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene change has been identified in your family, and you know what this gene change is.