Comprehensive cancer susceptibility testing (BRCA1, BRCA2 gene test) tests for the presence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations that are associated with cancer development (cancer risk).
BRCA proteins are proteins that repair mutations in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Therefore, if either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is mutated, an abnormal BRCA protein is produced.
Inheritance of a mutated BRCA gene tends to increase the probability of developing breast and ovarian cancer at a younger age than inheritance of a normal (unmutated) BRCA gene.
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Group Type | Probability of Occurrence |
---|---|
Probability of developing breast cancer in the population of the general female population | About 12% over the course of a lifetime |
Women who have inherited a harmful BRCA1 mutation | Estimated at about 72% by age 80 Approximately 40% chance of developing breast cancer in the other breast within 20 years of diagnosis |
Women who have inherited a harmful BRCA2 mutation | Estimated at about 69% by age 80 Approximately 26% chance of developing breast cancer in the other breast within 20 years of diagnosis |
Group Type | Probability of Occurrence |
---|---|
Probability of developing ovarian cancer in the population of the general female population | About 1.3% over the course of a lifetime |
Women who have inherited a harmful BRCA1 mutation | Estimated at about 44% by age 80 |
Women who have inherited a harmful BRCA2 mutation | Estimated at about 69% by age 80 |