Risk of BRCA-1 and BRCA-2
Many women treated for breast cancer and ovarian cancer by Comprehensive Cancer Centers are familiar with the technical terms BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. These are genes that produce proteins that suppress tumors. The proteins repair damaged DNA and ensure the stability of genetic material at a cellular level. When either of these genes are mutated, or altered, cells become more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that may lead to cancer.
For those who have not had cancer, but may have risks associated with carrying the genes, knowing the risk and preparing accordingly can be an important part of remaining healthy. Learning more about, and identifying these risks, is something that can be accomplished through Cancer Genetic Counseling at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.
Why Get Cancer Genetic Counseling?
Inherited cancer syndromes account for approximately 5 to 10 percent of all cancers. This equates to nearly 50,000 newly diagnosed cancers that can be attributed to a gene inherited from your parents. It is important for individuals and families that have cancer susceptibility genes to be aware of risks.
Not everyone with a cancer gene will develop cancer, but his or her risk is greatly increased based on genealogical circumstances. Many people with genes that are at risk can develop cancer at younger ages than other people. Genetic testing to reveal risks for those who are at high risk is now highly recommended. Comprehensive Cancer Centers is the only oncology practice in Southern Nevada to offer cancer genetic counseling. We have a nurse practitioner who has received specialized training to be a cancer genetic counselor who focuses specifically on cancer genetic counseling to deliver the most current medical knowledge and treatment options for patients with genetic cancers.
Who Needs to Get Genetic Testing?
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who have family members with breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer be evaluated through genetic cancer screening. For BRCA-1 or BRCA-2, factors associated with increased likelihood of having a harmful mutation include:
- Two or more BRCA-1- or BRCA-2-related cancers in a single family member
- Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 years
- Cancer in both breasts in the same woman
- Breast and ovarian cancers in either the same woman or the same family
- Multiple breast cancers in the family
- Cases of male breast cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity
What Are the Benefits of Getting Screening Results?
For those with BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes, 72% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA-1 mutation and about 69% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA-2 mutation will develop breast cancer by the age of 80. Those numbers are much higher than the national average of 12% of all women who will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives. An additional factor of concern is that women with the gene have increased chances of getting breast cancer in their other breast, after having had cancer in one breast.
For ovarian cancer, risk factors for those with BRCA1 and BRCA2, approximately 44% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation and approximately 17% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop ovarian cancer by the age of 80. Less than two percent of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer sometime during their lives
The risks aren’t all about women’s health. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes have been linked to pancreatic and prostate cancers. There are concerns about passing on that defect to children. If a man carries a BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene, each of his children may have a 50-50 chance of carrying the gene.
When I Get Results What Will They Mean?
All of those who get Cancer Genetic Counseling will be provided with information on the specific test being performed, what the results mean, the psychological implications of test results, confidentiality issues, options for risk estimation without genetic testing, the risk of passing a gene mutation to a child, fees involved in testing, options and limitations of medical surveillance and strategies for prevention after testing and the importance of sharing your genetic test results with at-risk relatives.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for cancer including chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. For certain cancer patients, clinical research studies currently being conducted at Comprehensive Cancer Centers may offer help, please click here to learn more. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.