ATM Mutation: Cancer Risk
Cancer Risks Associated with Inherited ATM Mutations
People with an mutation have a higher risk for several types of cancer. They tend to occur at a younger age than in people without a mutation. Experts at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) create guidelines which estimate the cancer risks for people with mutations. These estimates are updated based on the latest research.
It is important to note that the cancer risks below are estimates. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next several years will vary depending on your:
- current age.
- sex assigned at birth.
- specific type and location of mutation on the gene.
- personal and family health history.
- diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors.
To understand more about your personal risk, we recommend that you speak with a genetics expert who can look at these factors and help you understand your personal risk.
Cancer risk table
Risk estimates are averages based on research on large groups of people with different types of mutations. Some specific mutations in may have higher or lower risks. Speak with a genetics expert to better understand your risks based on your exact gene mutation type, location and other factors.
|
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with an Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Notes |
|
21 - 24% |
12.5% |
People with a common mutation known as c.7271T>G variant have a higher risk for breast cancer than the average risk. |
|
|
Risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer |
4% risk within 10 years of initial diagnosis |
More research is needed to confirm this risk. This applies to women who have not had mastectomy. |
|
|
Male breast cancer |
May be increased |
.1% |
More research is needed to confirm this risk. |
|
Colorectal cancer |
5 - 10% |
4% |
More research is needed to confirm this link. |
|
May be increased |
.8% |
More research is needed to confirm this risk. Some research has shown that people with an mutation and a type of bacterial infection known as may have an increased risk for compared with people who do not have an mutation. |
|
|
2 - 3% |
1.1% |
||
|
5 - 10% |
1.7% |
||
|
cancer |
Increased risk |
13% |
More research is needed to confirm this link. |
|
Sources: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027; NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familiar High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, and Gastric; v.1 2026; Hall MJ, et. al. Pathogenic Variants in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated () Gene are Associated with High and Moderate Risks for Multiple Cancers. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 1 April 2021; 14 (4): 433–440; Cancer Stat Facts: Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD. |
|||
Other cancers
More research is needed to better understand the lifetime risk of other cancers in people with an mutation. Because many questions about cancer risk remain unanswered, genetics experts often use a family's history of cancer and other risk factors to help people with mutations better understand their cancer risks and make informed decisions about their care.
Participate in Prevention Research
The screening and prevention studies below are enrolling people with mutations. To search for more studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
Vaccine for People at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05013216
Low Dose Tamoxifen With or Without Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT06195306
Using a Shorter Type of MRI as a Screening Tool for People at High Risk for Prostate Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05384535
PATROL Study: Prostate Cancer Screening for People AT Genetic Risk FOr Aggressive Disease
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04472338
Screening Study for Men at High Genetic Risk for Prostate Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03805919
Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection for People at High Risk
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04970056
Screening in Men at High Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05608694
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June 11, 2021
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