BRCA mutation and risk
BRCA mutation and risk
- The lifetime risk of an individual female in the general population in the UK developing breast cancer is around 12%.
- The male population breast cancer risk is around 0.1%.
- Less than 1% of the population have harmful mutations of BRCA1+2
- Harmful mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for between 5 and 10% of all breast cancers.
- Breast cancers associated with BRCA mutations tend to occur at younger ages than sporadic cases.
- BRCA mutations also contribute to an increased risk of ovarian, male breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers and BRCA2 may be linked with melanoma.
Estimated lifetime risks
Tumour type | Population risk | BRCA1 | BRCA2 |
---|---|---|---|
Female breast | 12% | 60-90% | 45-85% |
Ovarian | 1.4% | 40-60% | 10-30% |
Male breast | 0.1% | 0.1-1% | 5-10% |
Prostate | 10% | 10% | 20-25% |