Genetic Testing for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is quiet. Your genetic risk doesn't have to be.
Because ovarian cancer rarely causes early symptoms, it is often discovered late, which is why understanding your genetic risk beforehand matters so much. When an inherited gene mutation is present, ovarian cancer is more likely to develop at a younger age and appear across multiple generations of a family.
Undergoing genetic testing to understand your hereditary risk of ovarian cancer gives you and your care team clarity about your personal health. Identifying these hereditary markers allows you and your doctor to build a proactive screening or prevention plan long before symptoms ever appear, dramatically improving your long-term outcomes.
Why Genetic Testing Matters for Ovarian Cancer
About 20% of individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer carry an inherited gene variation that drives their risk of the disease.¹ This is a significantly higher rate than seen in many other cancer types, which is why a genetic ovarian cancer test is recommended so broadly for anyone with a personal or family history of ovarian and other cancers.
Because the inherited connection is so strong, national medical guidelines now advise that everyone diagnosed with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer be offered genetic testing, regardless of their age or family history.² For people who have never been diagnosed, undergoing genetic ovarian cancer testing can reveal an inherited risk long before any symptoms appear, opening the door to proactive monitoring and risk-reducing options that can save lives.
The Genetic Syndromes Behind Hereditary Ovarian Cancer
Most hereditary ovarian cancers stem from a few well-understood genetic syndromes. Undergoing ovarian cancer genetic testing helps pinpoint your specific risk profile so you and your care team can design a personalized screening and prevention strategy.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC)
Women with a BRCA1 mutation face about a 39% to 58% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer, and women with a BRCA2 change face about a 13% to 29% risk—compared to about 1% for women overall.³ Additionally, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are approximately ten times more common in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage than in the general public.⁴
Lynch Syndrome
Lynch syndrome is caused by an inherited variation in one of the DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, or EPCAM). While Lynch syndrome is best known for increasing colon and endometrial cancer risks, it also elevates the lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer to between 4% and 24%, depending on the specific gene involved.⁵
Other Moderate-Risk Ovarian Cancer Genes
Beyond BRCA1, BRCA2, and the Lynch syndrome genes, variations in DNA repair genes, including RAD51C, RAD51D, and BRIP1, are responsible for roughly 2% of all ovarian cancer diagnoses.⁶ Uncovering these moderate-risk variations through genetic testing ovarian cancer panels provides actionable guidance for timely preventive care.
Is Ovarian Cancer Genetic Testing Right for You?
Several personal and family history factors can point to an inherited risk worth exploring.
A Diagnosis of Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer
Because these cancers have a strong hereditary link, testing is recommended for anyone with this diagnosis, regardless of their age or family history.²
Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry
Because BRCA1 and BRCA2 variations are far more common in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, ancestry alone is often reason enough to consider a genetic ovarian cancer test.⁴
Personal or Family History of Breast Cancer
A diagnosis of breast cancer in yourself or a close relative, especially before age 50, is one of the most common indicators for hereditary cancer testing.⁷
Family History of Ovarian, Pancreatic, and/or Prostate Cancer (Especially if Diagnosed Before Age 50)
Having a parent, sibling, or child with one of these cancers increases the likelihood that an inherited gene mutation runs in the family.⁷
Family History of Colon or Endometrial Cancer (Especially if Diagnosed Before Age 50)
Having a personal or family history of colon, endometrial, and/or stomach cancers, particularly when diagnosed before age 50, are common signs of Lynch syndrome, which also raises ovarian cancer risk.⁵
Key Genes Linked to Hereditary Kidney Cancer
Genetic testing for ovarian cancer includes the genes most strongly tied to inherited risk, from the two best known syndromes to newer gene additions to the panel.
The most common cause of hereditary ovarian cancer. Inherited changes in BRCA1 raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to an estimated 39–58%.³
The second primary gene involved in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Syndrome. Changes in BRCA2 raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to about 13–29%.³
One of the Lynch syndrome genes. Changes in MLH1 raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to about 4–20%.⁸
The Lynch syndrome gene most strongly linked to ovarian cancer. Changes in MSH2 raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to about 8–38%.⁸
These Lynch syndrome genes are more strongly associated with colon and endometrial cancers, carrying a smaller and less clearly defined increase in ovarian cancer risk compared to MLH1 or MSH2.⁸
Works alongside BRCA1 and BRCA2 in DNA repair. Variations in RAD51C raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to an estimated 10–15%.⁶
A close relative of RAD51C. Genetic changes in RAD51D raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to an estimated 12%.⁶
A DNA repair gene linked to hereditary ovarian cancer. Changes in BRIP1 raise the lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer to an estimated 6%.⁶
Partners closely with BRCA2 in repairing damaged DNA. Changes in PALB2 raise the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer to an estimated 3–5%.⁹
Simple, from Home to Results
Order Your Kit
Register online and receive a saliva collection kit shipped directly to your home within a few days.
Collect Your Sample
Provide a simple saliva sample at home, following the easy step-by-step instructions included in your kit.
Lab Analysis
Your sample is analyzed at a CLIA-accredited laboratory using advanced sequencing technology across the full gene panel.
Receive Results
Receive your results within 3 to 4 weeks. You can choose to schedule a complimentary consultation with a certified genetic counselor to review your findings.
Costs and Insurance Coverage
Insurance Billing
Self-Pay Option
Ovarian cancer is hard to catch early, but knowing your genetic risk doesn't have to be.
References
- Genetic Testing for Ovarian Cancer. FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered). Published February 2026. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.facingourrisk.org/info/risk-management-and-treatment/cancer-treatment/by-cancer-type/fallopian-ovarian-peritoneal/inherited-mutations
- Konstantinopoulos PA, Norquist B, Lacchetti C, et al. Germline and somatic tumor testing in epithelial ovarian cancer: ASCO guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(11):1222-1245. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8842911/
- BRCA Gene Changes: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing Fact Sheet. National Cancer Institute. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet
- What's the connection between BRCA and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry? Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Published June 2023. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2023/06/whats-the-connection-between-brca-and-ashkenazi-jewish-ancestry/
- Hereditary cancer syndromes and risk assessment. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published December 2019. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2019/12/hereditary-cancer-syndromes-and-risk-assessment
- Suszynska M, Ratajska M, Kozlowski P. BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D mutations are associated with high susceptibility to ovarian cancer: mutation prevalence and precise risk estimates based on a pooled analysis of ~30,000 cases. J Ovarian Res. 2020;13(1):50. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7196220/
- Beitsch PD, Whitworth PW, Hughes K, et al. Underdiagnosis of hereditary breast cancer: are genetic testing guidelines a tool or an obstacle? J Clin Oncol. 2019;37(6):453-460. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6825998/
- Updates in gynecologic care for individuals with Lynch syndrome. Front Oncol. Published February 2023. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2023.1127683/full
- PALB2 gene: mutation genetic testing & cancer risk. City of Hope. Published March 2026. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.cityofhope.org/tests-procedures-treatments/palb2-mutation