The discovery and sequencing of the BRCA1 gene is an exciting breakthrough for women and health care providers. BRCA1 is associated with inherited breast and ovarian cancer and the body of scientific information regarding its role in ovarian cancer is growing rapidly. The impact of this knowledge on counseling women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer is profound. This review provides information about familial ovarian cancer syndromes and the emerging role of genetic testing in women with an inherited susceptibility for cancer.