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)

Cancer

Breast

Ovarian

Pancreatic

General population

11.5%

1.5%

1.0%

With BRCA1
gene fault

72% (65-79%)

44% (36-53%)

Not elevated

With BRCA2
gene fault

69% (61-77%)

17% (11-25%)

2% (1-4%)

Male Cancer Risk Over Lifetime (to age 80)

Cancer

Breast

Prostate

Pancreatic

General population

Less than 0.1%

12.5%

1.0%

With BRCA1
gene fault

0.4% (0.1-1.5%)

Not elevated

Not elevated

With BRCA2
gene fault

4% (2-8%)

27% (21-35%)

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

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