Sheila my BRCA testing results were done early after diagnosis and my results were back in just over two weeks. My BRCA results were used more in determining my maintenance medication or PARP inhibitor. I responded very well to frontline chemotherapy that’s seen with BRCA positive patients. I’m a much later advanced stage (4) ovarian cancer than you so I’m probably not a good comparison when it comes to treatment plans.
BRCA and generic testing has become standard practice with cancers like ovarian. I feel most, if not all, participants here on this ovarian cancer board have had BRCA and genetic testing.

Hi Sheila, It is my understanding that they use the results of BRCA testing to determine what type of “maintenance” treatment you are eligible for after you have completed chemotherapy. I received the results of my testing approximately three weeks after they ordered it (negative for everything). There are lots of women here who here who have stated that they did not have any chemo. That was not the case for myself. I think a lot of it will depend on the stage of your tumor among a lot of other factors. Have you received any information with regard to your pathology yet? When is your next appointment with your oncologist? 💙

If you have the BRCA gene, then you are eligible for the parp inhibitor Lynparza after you finish your chemo.

That is good news, because the median length of time before the cancer returns for patients on a maintenance regimen of Avastin and Lynparza is 3 years.

If it works, it’s the best treatment on the market

I don’t have the BRCA gene but have the HRD gene which qualified me to take the Avastin and Lynparza route. But it was always a concern that it wouldn’t work, because the drug was developed for people with the BRCA gene. And it didn’t work for me unfortunately

Good luck!

I was told 25% of women with ovarian cancer have the BRCA gene. In women with breast cancer and the BRCA gene they are suggesting removal of ovaries to prevent ovarian cancer. I was tested because I have a daughter and wanted to know if she was at risk. When I did Parp inhibitor for maintenance my doctor said the drug worked best for women who had the BRCA gene.

I was diagnosed in December 2021 with Stage 4 Ovarian cancer that had spread to lymph nodes. I started 6 rounds of chemotherapy (taxol & carboplatin). Had genetic testing July 2022 had results back August, I was positive for the Braca 1 gene. I was put on Lynparza in July 2022, went into remission August 2022. Still in remission and on a lower dosage of Lynparza.