A recent report has revealed that the genetic test usually used to determiner breast cancer risk can miss mutations that help cause the disease. This test work is supposed to work by looking for mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. However a new study from the University of Washington showed that the test missed identifying these mutations in about 12 percent of breast cancer patients from families with multiple cases of breast or ovarian cancer. This study, which is being published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, has raised concern that many high risk patients may have received falst negative results.

The test is manufactured by Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City Utah. Myriad holds most of the patents for this type of testing making it very difficult for a competitor with a superior test to enter the U.S. market. Myriad Genetics themselves says five percent to 10 percent of breast cancers in white women in the United States stem from inherited mutations in the BRCA genes.

If you or a loved one has taken a genetic breast cancer test and received a false negative our attorneys can help you. Please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified defective medical device attorney.