Factors influencing women’s decisions to getting tested for BRCA mutation

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers. There are many risk factors that can increase a woman’s susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancers, some of which are modifiable.  However, non-modifiable risks for breast and ovarian cancer include the presence of genetic mutations (BRCA) increase the risk of these diseases. The purpose of this review was to identify factors, reported in the literature, known to affect women’s decision to get genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. A total of 31 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this review. Several internal and external factors, influencing women’s decision to getting tested for BRCA mutations, were identified and explained. Implications for clinical practice were provided.