Reference no: EM133607286

Question: A 39-year-old woman, Rachel, presents to her internist after finding a mass in the upper outer quadrant of her right breast. She is referred to an oncologist for evaluation and undergoes a biopsy that is positive for invasive breast cancer. Because of her young age at presentation and her Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, Rachel is referred for genetic counseling and testing and is found to carry a BRCA 1 mutation. After review of her options, she opts for bilateral mastectomy. Rachel's family history is unremarkable for cancer. Her mother died at age 30 in an automobile accident. She has one sibling, a sister, who is 32 years of age. Rachel tells her sister, Stephanie, that she is at risk to have a BRCA1 mutation and may be at risk to develop cancer at an early age. Stephanie desires testing for the mutation found in her family. What information (for Stephanie and Rachel) is protected from use by an insurer? What information is an insurer permitted to review and for what purposes?