Breast Cancer Genetic Testing — BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most recognized hereditary breast cancer genes, but PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, TP53, and others collectively account for an equal number of hereditary cases. Comprehensive genetic testing identifies them all.
Whole genome sequencing evaluates all known hereditary breast cancer genes — BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, TP53, CDH1, RAD51C, RAD51D, BARD1, and others — plus structural variants and deep intronic mutations that standard gene panels miss.
Breast Cancer — Genetic Testing
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, affecting approximately 1 in 8 (13%) over a lifetime. Approximately 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary — caused by pathogenic variants in high-penetrance genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, CDH1, PALB2 — lifetime breast cancer risk 40-85%) and moderate-penetrance genes (CHEK2, ATM, BARD1, RAD51C, RAD51D — lifetime risk 20-40%). BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most widely tested genes, but they account for only approximately 25% of hereditary breast cancer. Multi-gene panel testing identifies 30-50% more actionable variants than BRCA-only testing.
Genetic diagnosis of hereditary breast cancer has direct therapeutic implications. PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) are FDA-approved for BRCA1/2-positive breast cancer and for germline PALB2-positive breast cancer. Platinum chemotherapy is preferentially effective in BRCA-deficient tumors. TP53 carriers (Li-Fraumeni syndrome) should avoid radiation therapy when possible due to radiation-induced secondary malignancy risk. CDH1 carriers are candidates for risk-reducing gastrectomy (for diffuse gastric cancer risk) in addition to breast cancer surveillance. These gene-specific management differences make molecular diagnosis essential.
Beyond treatment, genetic testing guides cancer surveillance intensity and risk-reducing interventions. BRCA1/2 carriers are offered enhanced breast MRI screening starting at age 25, risk-reducing mastectomy, and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. PALB2 carriers follow similar (though slightly modified) surveillance protocols. CHEK2 and ATM carriers receive enhanced screening but have lower absolute risk, affecting the risk-reduction surgery discussion. All high-penetrance variant carriers benefit from cascade family testing — identifying additional at-risk relatives who may benefit from early surveillance or prevention.
PALB2 is now recognized as a high-penetrance breast cancer gene — comparable to BRCA2 in risk. PARP inhibitors are approved for PALB2+ breast cancer. PALB2 is NOT included in BRCA-only testing — multi-gene evaluation is essential.
BRCA-only testing misses ~50% of hereditary breast cancer. Multi-gene evaluation identifies PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, TP53, and other actionable genes. WGS is the most comprehensive option — evaluating all genes including those not yet on commercial panels.
PARP inhibitors work for BRCA1/2 AND PALB2 — patients with PALB2 variants have a targeted therapy that BRCA-only testing would never identify
Olaparib (Lynparza) received expanded FDA approval for germline PALB2-positive metastatic breast cancer in 2023 — based on the same homologous recombination deficiency mechanism that makes BRCA-mutant tumors sensitive to PARP inhibition. A patient tested only for BRCA1/2 who carries a PALB2 variant would never be identified as eligible for PARP inhibitor therapy. WGS evaluates PALB2 alongside BRCA1/2 and all additional breast cancer genes, ensuring no actionable variant is missed.
Large genomic rearrangements in BRCA1 account for 8-15% of pathogenic BRCA1 alleles — sequencing-only panels miss them
Approximately 8-15% of pathogenic BRCA1 alleles are large genomic rearrangements (multi-exon deletions or duplications) that are not detectable by standard Sanger sequencing or basic NGS sequencing-only approaches. These structural variants require copy number analysis (MLPA) or comprehensive sequencing with deletion/duplication detection. WGS inherently detects both sequence variants and copy number variants from the same data — identifying the complete spectrum of BRCA1 pathogenic alleles without requiring separate MLPA testing.
Your full DNA (not just a part of it)
Traditional genetic testing looks at narrow sets of genes, missing most parts of your genome. We sequence your full genome — every gene and every region between genes.
Comprehensive insights and specialized reports
Easy to read and with answers you and your doctor can act on. Not a file to interpret — 200+ clinical reports, organized by category.
Your test becomes more valuable every year
Your DNA does not change, but genome science is accelerating. Every month, new variant-disease associations are discovered. We validate these findings and update your reports automatically. Your test becomes more valuable every year.
The results doctors bring to their hardest cases.
Forty years of uncertainty. One test.
A patient had spent decades in the UK healthcare system without a diagnosis. Dante data, accepted by NHS clinical teams at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, identified Noonan Syndrome and a RUNX1 leukemia-associated variant that had gone undetected. After 40 years, they finally had an answer.
A complete read delivers a complete picture.
A patient came to Dante to investigate periodic paralysis. Reading the complete genome identified a concurrent hereditary cardiac finding — Brugada syndrome — that their doctor confirmed with an ECG. The result also explained a family member's unresolved cardiac history. One test. Every answer in it.
Sequenced in 2019. The data worked in 2021.
Jennifer sequenced her genome with Dante two years before her breast cancer diagnosis. When treatment began, Dante's pharmacogenomics data showed her prescribed chemotherapy would cause serious adverse effects. Her doctor selected an alternative — and she started effective treatment from day one.
Every genetic question deserves a complete answer.
Whether you are searching for answers today or protecting your health for tomorrow, a complete read of your entire genome is the only place to start.
It runs in your family. Now you can know if it runs in your genes.
Your genome contains inherited variants associated with medical conditions like cardiac, cancer, and neurological. We read all of them — with the clinical depth to give the result meaning.
Learn more →When traditional lab tests say you're fine. And you know you're not.
Standard diagnostic tests check for a pre-selected set of answers. We sequence your full DNA — including parts that no test was designed to check. If the answer is in your genome, we will help you find it.
Learn more →Your diagnosis may be right. Your treatment plan may be incomplete.
Your genes determine which treatments are most likely to work — and which are not. We give your doctor the tools and insights to inform your treatment plan.
Learn more →You want to know before something forces the question.
Some people don't wait for a diagnosis or a family history to act. Whole genome sequencing gives you the complete genetic picture now — so you and your doctor can make informed decisions before anything becomes urgent.
Learn more →You already took a DNA test. Here's what it couldn't tell you.
Most consumer DNA tests read less than 0.1% of your genome. We read all of it.
Learn more →Clinical-grade results. Chosen by individuals, trusted by doctors for their most complex cases.
Dante Genome Test helped specialists at a UK national acute hospital in the identification of Noonan Syndrome and a rare leukemia-associated genetic variant that had gone undetected. That result changed the medical care of the patient.
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Common questions about whole genome sequencing.
What is the difference between whole genome sequencing and a targeted genetic test?
Targeted genetic tests — including standard hereditary cancer panels — read a pre-defined list of known variants in a specific set of genes. They are designed to find what they already know to look for. Whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome: all 6 billion base pairs, every gene, every region between genes. A Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Oncology found that standard testing guidelines missed more than half of patients with inherited cancer mutations. Genome Test does not have a fixed list.
What will I receive when my results are ready?
Your Dante Genome delivers 200+ physician-ready reports organized by clinical category — hereditary cancer, cardiac conditions, rare diseases, pharmacogenomics, carrier status, and more. Reports are delivered to your secure Genome Manager and are formatted for direct clinical use. Your genome data is permanently retained and re-analyzed automatically as science advances.
What happens if a clinically significant variant is found?
If a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant is identified, it will be clearly flagged in your physician-ready report with clinical context, published evidence, and recommended next steps. We recommend sharing any clinically significant finding with your physician or a genetic counselor, who can guide decisions about surveillance, risk reduction, or cascade testing for family members.
How is this different from a consumer DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Consumer DNA tests use genotyping chips that read less than 0.1% of your genome — a tiny pre-selected set of common variants. They are optimized for ancestry and population-level traits, not clinical genetic findings. The Dante Genome Test sequences 100% of your genome at 30X coverage, the same standard used in clinical diagnostic settings. The two tests are not comparable in scope, methodology, or clinical utility.
How long does it take to get results, and how are they delivered?
Your collection kit ships within 48 hours of ordering. Once your sample arrives at our CLIA-certified laboratory, sequencing and analysis takes 6–8 weeks. Results are delivered securely to your Genome Manager, where you can access your reports, share them with your physician, and receive automatic updates as new findings are validated against your genome.
We work with patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Dante Labs works with patient advocacy groups of any size — for Breast Cancer — Genetic Testing and other conditions, rare and common. We support groups in any country, including virtual patient advocacy groups.
We can provide customized reports, group discounts, and packages tailored for your members. Please reach out using the form and we'll be in touch within two business days.
- Custom genomic reports for your members
- Group discounts and tailored packages
- Any country — including virtual groups
- Rare and common conditions covered
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One test.
A lifetime of answers.
One kit, sent to your home. Your entire genome sequenced at the clinical standard used for diagnostic decisions. 200+ physician-ready reports delivered to your Genome Manager in 6–8 weeks — permanent and updated as science advances.
Ships within 48 hours · Results in 6–8 weeks
