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Cancer Risk
Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer, their associated risks and guidelines for screening, preventing and treating cancers in people with inherited mutations in these genes.
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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing > Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > BRCA1 > Cancer Risk

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Overview
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Cancer Risk
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Risk Management
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Cancer Treatment
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Other Considerations

Cancer risk associated with inherited mutations

If you have tested positive for a mutation, we recommend that you consult with a genetics expert who can look at your personal and family history of cancer, and help you decide on a plan for managing your risk. People with a mutation have a higher risk for several cancers. The average age of a cancer diagnosis tends to be younger in people with a mutation than in people who do not have a mutation. The risks listed below are estimates based on different large studies. Note that when we use "men" and "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

Risks for women

  • Breast cancer: The lifetime risk is about 65 percent, compared with 12.5 percent for a woman of average risk. 
  • Second breast cancer in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer once: The lifetime risk is about 40 percent.
  • Ovarian cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer (these three cancers and their risks are related and are often referred to together as ovarian cancer): The lifetime risk is about 40-60 percent, compared with 1.3 percent for average risk people. 
  • Uterine cancer: There is a small increased risk for a rare form of aggressive uterine cancer, the estimated risk to age 70 is up to 5 percent.

Risks for men

  • cancer: The lifetime risk is about 7-26 percent, compared with 12 percent for a man of average risk. cancer in men with an inherited mutation may be more aggressive than in men without an inherited mutation. 
  • Male breast cancer: The lifetime risk with a mutation is about 0.2-1.2 percent.

Risks for all people

  • Pancreatic cancer: The lifetime risk is about 5 percent compared with 1 percent for a person of average risk. 
  • Research on how mutations in the gene affect cancer risk is ongoing. Some research suggests that mutations may increase risk for melanoma and other cancers. However, because these studies are not conclusive, genetics experts often look at a person’s family history of cancer to help people with mutations understand their risk for additional cancers.

Graph of lifetime risk for breast cancer in women with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-brca1' x-tooltip='<p>BRCA1 is a gene found on chromosome 17. Mutations in BRCA1 increase the risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate,&nbsp;melanoma and possibly other cancers. BRCA1&nbsp;mutations are among the genes associated with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, also known as HBOC.&nbsp;</p> ' >BRCA1</button> mutation       Graph of lifetime risk of ovarian cancer in people with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-brca1' x-tooltip='<p>BRCA1 is a gene found on chromosome 17. Mutations in BRCA1 increase the risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate,&nbsp;melanoma and possibly other cancers. BRCA1&nbsp;mutations are among the genes associated with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, also known as HBOC.&nbsp;</p> ' >BRCA1</button> mutation

Graph of lifetime risk for pancreatic cancer in people with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-brca1' x-tooltip='<p>BRCA1 is a gene found on chromosome 17. Mutations in BRCA1 increase the risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate,&nbsp;melanoma and possibly other cancers. BRCA1&nbsp;mutations are among the genes associated with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, also known as HBOC.&nbsp;</p> ' >BRCA1</button> mutation       Graph of lifetime risk for prostate cancer in men with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-brca1' x-tooltip='<p>BRCA1 is a gene found on chromosome 17. Mutations in BRCA1 increase the risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate,&nbsp;melanoma and possibly other cancers. BRCA1&nbsp;mutations are among the genes associated with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, also known as HBOC.&nbsp;</p> ' >BRCA1</button> mutation

It is important to note that cancer risks are estimates over the course of a person's lifetime. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next five years will vary depending on:

  • current age
  • sex assigned at birth
  • specific mutation
  • personal and family health history
  • diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors
Last updated February 27, 2023

Get Support
Get Support

FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations. 

updated: 08/06/2022

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are studies looking at level of risk or risk-management for people with inherited or mutations. Check study listings or contact the study team to see if you are eligible. 

Multiple cancers

Breast cancer

cancer

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Additional risk-management clinical trials for people with inherited mutations may be found here.

updated: 09/11/2022