Breast cancer risk: evaluating the risk and role of genetic testing.

Identifying women who might have an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer due to family history can be difficult for physicians and patients alike. All physicians can identify those women who might be at an increased risk for familial or hereditary breast cancer. Gene testing can refine the estimate of the risk after thorough discussion of the benefits and limitations of current testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Exploring options for prevention and detection may benefit high-risk women.