What is deCODE BreastCancer ™?
The deCODE BreastCancer™ test is a novel, DNA-based reference laboratory test for the first common genetic risk factors to be indentified that contribute to a substantial proportion of female breast cancers arising in the general population. The test assesses relative genetic risk for the individual tested and the calculated lifetime risk based on the relative risk results and the background population lifetime risk (12.3% in the United States). deCODE BreastCancer™ looks at 7 markers (SNPs) in the DNA isolated from an inner cheek or a blood sample. The risks associated with each marker allele are multiplied together to define risks of 0.4- to 4.0-fold relative to the general population. It is estimated that these 7 markers together account for 60% of breast cancer occurrences (population attributable risk). According to the test results, only about 5% of women have an average 2-fold risk for breast cancer compared to the general population and about 1% have an average 3-fold risk. Thi
