BRCA - Born At Risk

Renee Cotter, MD Blog BRCA - Born At Risk

If you've followed any pop-media lately, you may have heard the acronym "BRCA". So what does that exactly mean? BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that, when mutated, may cause breast and/or ovarian cancer. This is called Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome and it is an inherited syndrome that causes you to be more likely to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer in the future; meaning, some people are actually born more at risk than others. 

One acronym, two variations, and instant increased risk for breast cancer.

7 out of 100 women in the general population of the U.S. will get breast cancer by 70.

 

50 out of 100 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will get breast cancer by 70.

1 out of 100 women with a BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation will get ovarian cancer by 70.

30 out of 100 women with a BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation will get ovarian cancer by 70.

Author
Renee Cotter, MD

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