BRCA1 risk

It is estimated that a woman carrying the BRCA1 mutation has a 50-85% chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 70.

Her risk of ovarian cancer before the age of 70 is between 40-60%. 

In contrast, the average risk (so when there are no BRCA mutations) for a woman in the USA and the UK developing breast cancer is 12% (1 in 8 women).

These are extremely high probabilities that require early prevention measures suited to each particular case.

Women with a BRCA1 mutation also have a higher than normal risk of womb cancer (also called endometrial or uterine cancer).

Men with a BRCA1 mutation have a marginally higher risk of breast and/or prostate cancer. 

It is important to remember though:

• Not all the women in a family with hereditary breast cancer will have the mutation;
• Not all diagnosed cancers will come from the hereditary mutation present in these families;
• To carry the mutation is not synonymous with cancer neither at the time of the diagnosis nor in the future, it just means that you have a higher risk of it happening;
• There are several available options to help women manage a high risk of breast cancer.