Cancer type | Risk in BRCA1/2 carriers to age 70 years | General population risk to age 70 years | Comments |
Breast | 40 to 75 percent | 7 percent | The range of risk reported in the literature is wide. In most studies, risk in BRCA1 carriers is higher than that observed in BRCA2 carriers. The incidence of breast cancer diagnosed younger than 50 years of age is higher in BRCA1 carriers compared with BRCA2 carriers, but both groups have an increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer, as well as increased lifetime risks. |
Contralateral (opposite) breast | BRCA1: Up to 65 percent BRCA2: Up to 50 percent | 0.5 to 1 percent per year after diagnosis | Risk is affected by other factors such as tamoxifen use and oophorectomy (ovary removal). For BRCA1/2 carriers who have had lumpectomy: Risk of developing a second breast cancer in the affected breast appears to be elevated over long follow-up periods. |
Ovarian | BRCA1: Approximately 40 percent BRCA2: Approximately 15 percent | <1 percent | The risk estimates provided here are representative of findings from multiple studies. The incidence of ovarian cancer diagnosed younger than 50 years of age is higher in BRCA1 carriers, and overall rare in all carriers younger than 40 years old; risk of fallopian tube cancer is also substantially elevated. |
Colon | Unclear | 2 percent | If elevated, risk is small; studies have not been consistent about whether risk is elevated. |
Prostate | Elevated; absolute risk not well defined | 8 percent White individuals 12 percent Black individuals | Risk appears to be higher in BRCA2 carriers and possibly in men younger than 65 years old. |
Male breast | Elevated but <10 percent | <1 percent | Risk appears to be higher in BRCA2 carriers; rarely occurs in men younger than age 50. |
Pancreatic | Elevated but <10 percent | <1 percent | Risk appears to be higher in BRCA2 carriers. |
Other sites | To be determined | Varied | These sites may include cancer of the stomach and skin (melanoma). |
Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?