Medical Oncologist
Genetic testing & family risk
BRCA Testing in India: — Cost, Process and What Comes Next
A BRCA test tells you whether you have inherited a gene variant that substantially raises your lifetime risk of breast or ovarian cancer. Knowing your result gives you a clear, evidence-based plan — not a diagnosis.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed August 2026
- A blood test, not a scan — BRCA testing is done from a blood sample or saliva. No procedure, no radiation.
- Cost varies by test type — A two-gene panel and a targeted variant test are priced differently. Both are available across India.
- Results change your screening, not your fate — A positive result means intensive surveillance from an earlier age — not that you will develop cancer.
- Your family members may need to know — A variant in your result has implications for your siblings, parents and children. Genetic counselling helps you navigate this.
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BRCA testing for two genes in India typically costs between ₹15,000 and ₹40,000 at an accredited laboratory; prices are indicative and vary by centre and test type. A targeted test for a variant already found in your family costs considerably less. Genetic counselling is usually charged separately. Your oncologist or gynaecologist can arrange a referral.
How does BRCA testing work in India?
Get a clinical referral
Talk to your oncologist, gynaecologist or general physician. They will assess your personal and family history to decide whether testing is clinically appropriate before issuing a referral.
Attend pre-test genetic counselling
A genetic counsellor or trained oncologist explains what the test can and cannot tell you. You will discuss what a positive or negative result would mean for you and your family before you decide to proceed.
Give a blood or saliva sample
A small blood sample is drawn at the laboratory or hospital collection centre. Some labs also accept a saliva sample. No fasting or special preparation is needed.
Wait for the laboratory report
Most accredited laboratories in India return BRCA results in two to four weeks. The report states whether a variant was found in BRCA1, BRCA2 or both, and whether it is classified as pathogenic or of uncertain significance.
Review results with post-test counselling
A second counselling session explains what the finding means for your cancer risk, what your surveillance schedule should look like, and whether your close family members should consider testing.
Who should consider a BRCA test?
Testing is recommended for people whose personal or family history suggests a meaningful probability of carrying a variant — not for everyone. The test gives you useful information only when there was a clinical reason to look.
NCCN criteria include having a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer under 50, two or more relatives with breast cancer on the same side of the family, or any close relative with ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Male breast cancer anywhere in the family is a particularly strong signal. BRCA2 variants in particular are associated with it.
If a BRCA variant has already been confirmed in your family, you can have a targeted test for that specific change alone. This is faster, less expensive, and gives you an equally definitive answer for the question your family is asking.
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What does a positive BRCA result mean for your screening?
NCCN estimates that women with a BRCA1 variant face a lifetime breast cancer risk in the range of approximately 70 to 80 percent. For BRCA2, the range is approximately 40 to 70 percent. The general population lifetime risk is approximately 12 to 13 percent. These figures explain why surveillance starts earlier and more intensively for carriers.
From age 25, NCCN recommends annual breast MRI and clinical breast examination every six to twelve months. MRI is preferred at this stage because it detects more cancers in the dense breast tissue common in younger women.
From age 30, an annual mammogram is added alongside the annual MRI. Your team may stagger these six months apart so you are effectively being assessed every six months through two different methods.
For BRCA1 carriers, NCCN advises discussing risk-reducing removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes from age 35 to 40. For BRCA2 carriers, this discussion typically begins from age 40 to 45. Ovarian surveillance with transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 every six months is recommended for both from age 30 to 35.
A positive result is information, not a sentence. Many people who carry a BRCA variant are never diagnosed with cancer. The surveillance schedule exists to find any cancer early — when treatment options are widest.
What should you bring to your BRCA appointment?
- The names and ages at diagnosis of relatives who had breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer.
- Which side of the family each affected relative is on — your mother's or your father's.
- Any pathology or biopsy reports you already have, including your own if you have had a cancer diagnosis.
- Whether any family member has already been tested for BRCA or another hereditary cancer syndrome.
- Your questions written down in advance — these appointments are dense, and it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask.
- Your ABHA number or hospital records if testing is being arranged through a hospital.
Did you know?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants follow an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern — each first-degree relative of someone who tests positive has a one-in-two chance of carrying the same variant.
A targeted test for that specific variant alone is substantially less expensive than full gene sequencing and gives an equally definitive answer for that family member.
Source: NCCN Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian and Pancreatic
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does BRCA testing cost in India?
A two-gene sequencing test for BRCA1 and BRCA2 typically runs between ₹15,000 and ₹40,000 at accredited laboratories across India; prices are indicative and have changed over time, so ask for a written quote before booking. A targeted variant test — done when a specific variant has already been identified in your family — costs considerably less and is equally informative for that question. Genetic counselling is usually billed separately, though some hospitals include it in the testing package.
Which laboratory should I use for BRCA testing in India?
Use a laboratory that is accredited by NABL or NABH and that offers pre- and post-test genetic counselling as part of the service. Several laboratories across India offer sequencing to published clinical standards, including those affiliated with major cancer centres. Your oncologist or gynaecologist is best placed to recommend one based on your city and clinical situation. The quality of the interpretation and the counselling matters as much as the sequencing itself.
How long does BRCA testing take in India?
Most accredited laboratories return results in two to four weeks from the date the sample is received. If a repeat sample is needed because the first was insufficient, that adds time. Ask the laboratory when your sample is dispatched so you have a realistic timeline rather than waiting without a clear expectation.
What does a negative BRCA result mean?
A negative result means no pathogenic variant was found in BRCA1 and BRCA2 — it does not mean you have no elevated cancer risk at all. If your family history is strong, other genes such as PALB2, CHEK2 or ATM may be the cause, and your oncologist may recommend a broader hereditary panel. A negative result also does not eliminate the general population risk of breast cancer, so age-appropriate screening continues. Your genetic counsellor will explain what a negative result does and does not rule out for your specific situation.
Does a positive BRCA result mean I will definitely get cancer?
No. A positive result tells you that your lifetime risk is substantially higher than the general population — not that cancer is certain. NCCN reports lifetime breast cancer risks in the range of approximately 70 to 80 percent for BRCA1 carriers and approximately 40 to 70 percent for BRCA2 carriers. A significant proportion of people who carry a BRCA variant are never diagnosed with cancer. The enhanced surveillance schedule exists to find any cancer early, when treatment options are widest.
Should my siblings or children be tested after my positive result?
Each of your first-degree relatives — parents, siblings and children — has a one-in-two chance of carrying the same variant. Whether and when they test is their own decision, ideally made after genetic counselling. For children, most guidelines recommend waiting until they are adults and can make an informed choice, because the surveillance schedule for carriers typically begins at age 25. Adult siblings and parents may want to consider testing sooner, particularly if they are not already in a regular screening programme.