Having a BRCA gene fault: Cancer Risk
Having a BRCA gene fault, or being a ‘BRCA carrier’, increases your risk of developing certain types of cancer. This is true for both men and women. The main cancers caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene faults are female breast cancer and ovarian cancer, however this is not to say that males with a fault do not have an increased cancer risk.
The tables below show the detailed cancer risks for females and males. Ranges are given, as the risk to each individual depends on multiple factors including family history.
Female Cancer Risk Over Lifetime (to age 80)
General population
Breast Cancer: 11.5%
Ovarian Cancer: 1.5%
Pancreatic Cancer: 1.0%
With BRCA1
gene fault
Breast Cancer: 72% (65-79%)
Ovarian Cancer: 44% (36-53%)
Pancreatic Cancer: Not elevated
With BRCA2
gene fault
Breast Cancer: 69% (61-77%)
Ovarian Cancer: 17% (11-25%)
Pancreatic Cancer: 2% (1-4%)
Male Cancer Risk Over Lifetime (to age 80)
General population
Breast Cancer: Less than 0.1%
Prostate Cancer: 12.5%
Pancreatic Cancer: 1.0%
With BRCA1
gene fault
Breast Cancer: 0.4% (0.1-1.5%)
Prostate Cancer: Not elevated
Pancreatic Cancer: Not elevated
With BRCA2
gene fault
Breast Cancer: 4% (2-8%)
Prostate Cancer: 27% (21-35%)
Pancreatic Cancer: 3% (2-5%)
Sources: Cancerresearchuk.org; UKCGG BRCA1 Germline Pathogenic Variant Carriers Management Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals; UKCGG BRCA2 Germline Pathogenic Variant Carriers Management Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals
