Breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be caused by a number of different factors. Most women who get cancer don’t have a family history of the disease, but sometimes cancer will run in families. Known as hereditary or familial cancer, these types of cancer are caused by changes, or mutations, in genes that pass from parent to child – sometimes referred to as the breast cancer genes. The most common mutations linked to breast or ovarian cancer are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Mutations in these genes increase your risk of getting cancer, but if you have the gene mutation, that doesn’t mean you will develop cancer.
What are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes?
Everyone has the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. They are called tumor suppressor genes and keep cells in your body from growing too quickly. Mutations in these genes mean they don’t work properly. That can cause cells in your body to grow out of control, which can lead to cancer.
About 1 in 300 people have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene and about 1 in 800 have a mutation in BRCA2. Anyone can have these mutations, but they tend to be found more often in people who have Eastern or Central European Jewish, French Canadian, and Icelandic backgrounds.
What is My Cancer Risk?
All women are at risk of getting breast cancer or ovarian cancer. The risk of getting breast cancer at some point in her lifetime for the average woman is about 12%. Having a BRCA mutation increases that risk to about 45 to 85% by age 70. The BRCA mutation also increases your risk of developing cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, peritoneum, pancreas, and skin (melanoma).
Getting Tested for BRCA Gene Mutations
We typically recommend women have a test for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations if they are in a high-risk group. The questions your doctor might ask you to make that determination may be if you: