BRCA Mutations and Established Cancer Risks

Introduction to BRCA Mutations

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes involved in double-stranded DNA break repair, with mutations inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology 1

Female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have a 50-85% lifetime risk of breast cancer, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 3, 4
Ovarian cancer risk is 10-40% for BRCA1 carriers and 10-20% for BRCA2 carriers, as stated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3, 4
Male BRCA2 carriers have a 5-10% lifetime risk of breast cancer, while male BRCA1 carriers have a lower risk, according to the American Cancer Society 3, 4
BRCA mutations also increase risk for prostate cancer (especially BRCA2) and pancreatic cancer, as reported by the National Cancer Institute 4

Current cancer screening and prevention guidelines for BRCA mutation carriers focus on breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, without specific recommendations for lung cancer screening, as recommended by the European Society for Medical Oncology 2, 3
The Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (TP53 mutations), not BRCA mutations, is associated with increased risk of lung bronchoalveolar cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer 1, 5