The KRAS-Variant Genetic Test As a Marker of Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. High mortality rates are due to vague symptoms of early disease, leading to diagnosis at a late stage. Approximately 10% of OCs are considered hereditary. The KRAS-variant is an inherited, germline variant that has been demonstrated to serve as a genetic marker of increased risk of OC. The KRAS-variant is easily tested in a blood or saliva sample, and has been shown to be at a high prevalence in OC patients. This test could serve as an answer to patients with a family history of ovarian and breast cancer without a previously identifiable genetic mutation.