Universal BRCA testing worthwhile for relatives of high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients

The reason universal surgery was the lowest is because most of these women will be premenopausal at the time of surgery, according to Dr. Kwon. A procedure like a premenopausal oophorectomy has been associated with a 40% increase in all-cause mortality, putting the patient at unnecessary risk, she noted.

Financially, no BRCA testing cost the least, an average of $8,524 Canadian dollars (about US$6,648) followed by universal BRCA at CA$10,103 (about US$7,880) . Universal surgery, with no BRCA testing, cost CA$13,959 (about US$10,888).

Despite the increased cost, the chance to give patients who may be at risk for ovarian cancer a better chance is a good investment, according to Dr. Kwon.