BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing Fact Sheet - National Cancer Institute

FULL-TEXT ►

BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing Fact Sheet - National Cancer Institute

BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing

Key Points

• A woman's risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a deleterious (harmful) mutation in the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene.
• Men with these mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer, and both men and women who have harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may be at increased risk of additional types of cancer.
• Genetic tests can check for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in people with a family history of cancer that suggests the possible presence of a harmful mutation in one of these genes.
• If a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is found, several options are available to help a person manage their cancer risk.