5. ALTERNATIVES TO MUTATION DETECTION

Alternatives to mutation detection include: to perform no testing and to adopt intensive surveillance behaviors comparable to those advised for known mutation carriers; to delay testing to some future date; to provide, prepare and store DNA samples from the patient and/or appropriate relatives for possible future testing in the interest of descendants and other relatives.

As emphasized above, if a woman at increased risk chooses one of these alternatives, it is essential that intensified surveillance be maintained.

As explained above, the detection of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation does not assure that the individual will develop cancer. Nor does it assure that, if a cancer develops, it will be detected earlier or treated more effectively. Although one might argue that detection of a mutation will motivate conscientious surveillance, such surveillance is available without genetic testing.