Breast cancer (BRCA) gene testing is done to evaluate a person's risk for developing breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that help control normal cell growth. People who inherit specific changes, or mutations, in one or both of these genes have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. People who carry these gene mutations and who have family members with breast cancer are more likely to develop breast cancer.

 

A woman's risk of breast cancer increases if she has BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. She is also at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is extremely rare in men; however, men who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have an increased risk of breast cancer or, possibly, prostate cancer. BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have been linked with an increased risk of other forms of cancers, such as lymphoma, melanoma, and cancers of the gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach.

 

Certain people have an increased risk of inheriting BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. Risk factors include: · A family member with a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

· A family member with breast or ovarian cancer.

· Two or more family members under age 50 with breast cancer.

· A male family member with breast cancer.

· A family member under age 50 with breast cancer plus Eastern European or (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent.

· A family member with ovarian cancer plus Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

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