If the test finds an alteration that has never been seen before in anyone else, the risk of cancer for that person may be uncertain. For some women, the benefits of genetic testing include the ability to make medical and lifestyle decisions while reducing the anxiety of not knowing their genetic background. Another benefit is the ability to make a proactive decision concerning prophylactic surgery. In addition, many women are able to participate in medical research that may, in the long run, decrease the risk of death from breast cancer. The cost for genetic testing can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Insurance policies vary with regard to whether the cost of genetic testing is covered.
Because genetic information can cause problems with insurance companies, some individuals may not want to use their insurance to pay for testing and may choose to pay out of pocket if they are able. This may be true even when a particular insurer is willing to cover the cost of testing. To protect their privacy, some may not even want their insurer to know they are thinking about genetic testing. Others may decide to ask their insurance company to cover these costs. They should carefully explore their particular insurance company and even privacy protection laws in their state before submitting the charge.