BRCA Mutation and How it Affects Your Cancer Risk

Options for those with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

If genetic testing confirms that you indeed carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, there are several options available to help prevent developing cancer. These include:

Starting screening for breast cancer at age 25
Receiving specialized breast screening that includes regular mammography and breast MRI
Participating in screening studies that offer cutting-edge technologies
Discussion of screening for ovarian cancer
Choosing to have ovaries or healthy breast tissue removed to reduce risk of developing cancer
Receiving personalized medical recommendations for overall health

When someone tests positive for a BRCA mutation, the decision on how to move forward is a very personal one. It’s important to explore all possible options and learn about all available resources.

Meeting with a genetic specialist could help to:

Determine if genetic testing is appropriate for a family
Interpret genetic test results (mutations in different cancer genes have different risks)
Estimate cancer risks based on family history if no gene mutations can be identified

If a gene mutation is identified in a family, then family members can receive genetic testing to find out whether or not they have inherited the increased cancer risk.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a chance to tell personal stories, share information about the diagnosis and spread the word about proactive preventative and screening measures.

For those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, one way to try to prevent these types of cancer is by getting tested for the BRCA gene mutation.

Should you get tested for a BRCA mutation?

Consider meeting with a genetic counselor and getting tested if you or a family member has had:

Breast cancer at age 50 or younger
Triple negative breast cancer at age 60 or younger
Ovarian or fallopian tube cancer at any age
More than one breast cancer diagnosis
Male breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a chance to tell personal stories, share information about the diagnosis and spread the word about proactive preventative and screening measures.

For those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, one way to try to prevent these types of cancer is by getting tested for the BRCA gene mutation.

What are the BRCA genes?

Everyone is born with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These act as tumor suppressors, meaning that they help control or prevent cancer. When an error, or mutation, occurs in either of these genes, a person’s risk for developing cancer increases. If someone is identified as carrying a BRCA mutation, there is a 50% chance of passing down the mutation to their children.

Most notably, BRCA gene mutations are linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can have up to a 75 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 50 percent lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer.

BRCA mutations can also affect men. Male carriers have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer and male breast cancer. Both male and female carriers of a BRCA mutation are at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

There are other genes related to a hereditary risk of breast and ovarian cancer. When you meet with a health care provider to discuss genetic testing options, they can discuss other genes and different genetic testing options with you in more detail.