Health Topics

BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are two genes that we know are related to breast and ovarian cancer risk. Some changes (mutations) in these genes increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Inherited mutations in genes other than BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 have been shown or are suspected to increase susceptibility for developing breast and other forms of cancer. Testing might be available for some of these mutations as well. A cancer risk assessment is most important in making sure appropriate genetic testing is offered.

Most women do not have a mutation in the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene. The National Cancer Institute has stated that some factors increase the likelihood that a person carries an inherited BRCA mutation. They include:

• A family history of several (three or more) close blood relatives (sisters, daughters, mother, grandmothers, aunts, cousins) affected with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both.
• A family history of early onset (before 50 or before menopause) breast or ovarian cancer in one or more close blood relatives (sisters, daughters, mother, grandmothers, or aunts).
• A family history of one or more close blood relatives (sisters, daughters, mother, grandmothers, aunts) with two or more primary tumors of the breast or bilateral breast cancer.
• A family history of one or more close male blood relatives (father, sons, brothers, uncles, grandfathers) who have developed breast cancer.
• Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry and a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Remember, both maternal and paternal family history is relevant for determining a person's risk for breast / ovarian cancer. It is important to ask about mom AND dad's family history related to breast cancer.

Women or men who meet one or more of the above criteria can contact their primary health providers for referral for genetic counseling and cancer risk assessment to discuss their risks for breast and / or ovarian cancer and whether BRCA testing is clinically appropriate for their situation.

The risks associated with mutations in BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 include a 50-85% risk for developing breast cancer and a 10-45% risk for developing ovarian cancer. These risks are significantly increased over the risks for these cancers in the general population.

Information is limited on how other non-genetic factors influence the risks associated with these mutations. For people who have a BRCA mutation, clinical management choices may include increased or more intensive monitoring, chemoprevention, or prophylactic surgery to remove at-risk organs. Screening must be started at a young age, usually between the ages of 20-25 years of age. Although some of these options may reduce the risk for developing breast and / or ovarian cancer, no option totally eliminates this risk.