5 Essential Steps to Take After Receiving a BRCA Positive Test Result

My Story

There is a lot of cancer in my family. My dad’s side- all died of cancer before they reached 70. My mom also had cancer. After my dad died in 2022, his colleagues advised me to get genetic testing done due to the rareness and aggressive type of cancer/tumors he had. I had NO idea what I was expecting… I provided the history to all of my OBs and not once was genetic testing advised because it was on the ‘paternal’ side.

The moment I received my BRCA positive test result, everything slowed down and sped up at the same time. There was fear, disbelief, relief for finally having answers, and an overwhelming sense of now what? It wasn’t just a medical result — it was a line drawn between the life I thought I understood and the decisions I suddenly had to face. No pamphlet or follow-up call could prepare me for the emotional weight that came with such a huge 4 character diagnosis.

I’m sharing this because I know how isolating that moment can feel.

When you’re handed information that changes your future, it’s easy to freeze or feel like you have to figure everything out on your own. You don’t. A BRCA diagnosis doesn’t mean panic — it means information, options, and the power to be proactive.

In this post, I’m walking through the five key actions I took - along with my support system - after my diagnosis — not as a checklist, but as a starting point for anyone standing where I once stood, trying to make sense of what comes next while handling grief, anger, and anxiety to what future is headed your way.

1. Educate Yourself About BRCA and Its Implications

One of the first things I did after receiving my BRCA positive test result was educate myself — not in a panic-scroll kind of way, but with intention. When my results came back from Invitae, they didn’t just say “positive.” They showed me the exact mutation and where it lived in my DNA. That detail mattered more than I realized at the time, because BRCA isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your specific mutation, your family history, and your overall health all play a role in what your risk actually looks like.

It’s also important to understand that BRCA mutations don’t only affect women. While conversations often focus on breast and ovarian cancer, men with BRCA mutations face increased risks too — including prostate, pancreatic, and male breast cancer. This isn’t just your information to carry; it’s family information. Learning that early helped me reframe this diagnosis as something bigger than just me.

I also sought out support groups and online communities, which can be incredibly helpful — with one important caveat. Everyone will have an opinion, and not everyone’s story will be your story. Some people choose aggressive preventative measures, others focus on monitoring, and many sit somewhere in between. Take advice with a grain of salt, trust reputable resources, and lean on genetic counselors or trusted medical professionals when making decisions that affect your body and future.

2. Build a Support Network

This diagnosis isn’t something you’re meant to carry alone, even though it can feel deeply personal and vulnerable. One of the hardest but most important steps I took was deciding who to share my results with. Not everyone deserves access to this part of your story. Share with people you trust — the ones who will protect your energy, respect your boundaries, and hold your information with care.

There’s a quiet fear that comes with this stage: the feeling that you’re a burden, that you’re asking too much, that life is now “too heavy.” Let me be clear — you are not a burden. Life may not look exactly the same now that you have this information, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong by needing support.

Equally important is building a healthcare team you actually trust. Genetic counselors, oncologists, surgeons, therapists — they all play a role, but you are allowed to be selective. You will not vibe with every specialist, and that is okay. I’ve walked away from providers who didn’t listen to me or made me feel dismissed. This is your body and your future. Being heard is not optional.

Finally, allow yourself to lean on friends, family, or even other BRCA carriers online if that feels safer or more aligned for you. Whether it’s through social media, private messages, or quiet check-ins, connection matters. This journey has enough emotional twists and turns — you don’t need to ride the roller coaster alone.

3. Schedule Regular and Specialized Medical Screenings

After a BRCA positive result, one thing becomes very clear very quickly: proactive care is no longer optional — it’s essential. Enhanced cancer surveillance is one of the most powerful preventative tools available, and while it can feel overwhelming at first, it’s also a way to stay in partnership with your body instead of living in constant fear of it.

For me, this meant setting up regular screenings with my care team like breast MRIs, mammograms, and clinical breast exams based on current medical guidelines and my personal risk factors. These appointments can feel intimidating at first, especially when they become part of your routine, but over time they became a form of reassurance. The ‘scanxiety’ will never go away, but you learn to block it out.

Keeping track of your screening schedule is key. Whether that’s a spreadsheet, calendar reminders, or an app, staying organized helps remove mental load and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. And if you ever feel that additional testing or screening is necessary based on your history or instincts, speak up. You are allowed to advocate for yourself. You know your body, your family history, and your risk better than anyone else.

I have been fortunate enough that my entire medical team talks amongst themselves, gettting clearance and advice where needed - cardio, endo, oncolo, hema, and all the above.

4. Consider All of Your Risk-Reducing Options

One of the most emotionally charged parts of a BRCA diagnosis is the conversation around risk-reducing options. Preventative surgeries like mastectomy or oophorectomy may be presented early, sometimes quickly, and while these options can significantly reduce cancer risk, they also come with physical, emotional, and lifestyle considerations that deserve time and space.

Exploring these options doesn’t mean committing to them immediately — or ever. It means understanding what they involve, how they could affect your daily life, your hormones, your identity, and your long-term health. From my own experience, the psychological weight of these decisions was just as real as the physical considerations. There is grief, relief, fear, and empowerment all wrapped together, often at the same time.

These are not decisions to make in isolation. Weighing the benefits and challenges alongside a medical team you trust makes all the difference. Ask questions. Ask them again. Ask for second opinions. Informed consent isn’t just about signing paperwork — it’s about feeling grounded, supported, and confident in whatever path you choose.

Most importantly, remember this: there is no universal “right” choice. The best decision is the one that aligns with your values, your body, and your comfort level. Your journey is your own, and you are allowed to move at your own pace.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Take Control

A BRCA diagnosis can make it feel like your body has suddenly become a problem to solve. Appointments, decisions, timelines, opinions — all at once. One of the most important things I learned, though, is that taking control doesn’t mean doing everything immediately. It means moving forward in a way that feels informed, grounded, and aligned with your life.

This step is about slowing down enough to listen to yourself. Checking in with your mental health. Noticing when you’re operating from fear versus clarity. Allowing room to grieve the version of the future you thought you had, while also recognizing the power that comes with having information early. Both things can be true at the same time.

It’s also about setting boundaries — with doctors, family, social media, and even yourself. You do not owe anyone updates, explanations, or timelines. Your journey doesn’t need to look brave or productive to be valid. Sometimes taking control looks like action; other times it looks like rest, therapy, journaling, or simply choosing not to decide yet.

Living with BRCA is not a one-time moment — it’s an ongoing relationship with your health, your body, and your intuition. And while this diagnosis may have changed your path, it also gave you something powerful: the ability to choose proactively instead of reactively. You are allowed to move forward with intention, compassion, and trust in yourself — every step of the way.

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If you’re reading this after receiving your own BRCA positive result, know this: there is no race you need to win and no checklist you need to complete to be “doing this right.” You are allowed to take your time, ask questions, change your mind, and protect your peace along the way. This journey is not about fear — it’s about awareness, choice, and learning how to trust yourself in a new way.

The steps I’ve shared here aren’t meant to be prescriptive. They’re a reminder that knowledge creates options, support creates steadiness, and self-advocacy creates power. Whether you’re just beginning to process your diagnosis or are deep into decision-making, you don’t have to walk this path alone — and you don’t have to look like anyone else while walking it.

If this post helped you feel a little less overwhelmed or a little more grounded, I hope you’ll share it with someone who might need it too. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer each other is simply the reminder: you are not alone, and you are allowed to choose what comes next.