BRCA1: Cancer Risks
Cancer Risks Associated with Inherited Mutations
People with a mutation have a higher risk for several cancers. These cancers tend to happen at a younger age than in people without a mutation. The numbers listed below are experts' best estimates of risk over the course of a person's lifetime based on different large studies. Your personal lifetime risk and risk over the next several years will vary depending on many factors, including:
- 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.
Speak with a genetics expert to better understand your risks based on your exact gene mutation type, location and other factors.
Does everyone with a mutation develop cancer?
Although the lifetime risk for cancer with a mutation is very high, not everyone with the mutation develops cancer. Following the guidelines for screening and prevention increases the chances of preventing cancer or catching it at its earliest and most treatable .
Which cancers are associated with a mutation?
People with an in have an increased risk for the following cancers: breast, , ovarian and primary peritoneal, pancreatic and cancers. Research has linked mutations to an increased risk for other cancers. For most of these cancers, the evidence is limited, the increase is small and more research is needed to prove a link.
|
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Additional Information |
|
Breast cancer in women |
60 - 72% |
12.5% |
|
|
20-year risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women diagnosed with breast cancer |
30 - 40% |
Applies to women who have not had mastectomy |
|
|
15 year risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women who were premenopausal at the time of 1st diagnosis |
>20% |
Applies to women who have not had mastectomy |
|
|
0.2-1.2% |
0.1% |
||
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027. |
|||
|
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Additional Information |
|
Ovarian, and primary peritoneal cancers |
39 - 58% |
1.1% |
|
|
Less than 5% |
3.1% |
mutations have been linked to a rare but aggressive type of . |
|
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027. |
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|
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Additional Information |
|
|
cancer |
Up to 26% |
12.8% |
People with an inherited mutation may be more likely to develop an aggressive type of cancer. |
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027. |
|||
|
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
|
|
Pancreatic cancer |
Up to 5% |
1.7% |
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027. |
||
|
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
|
|
3.5% |
0.8% |
|
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familiar High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, and Gastric; v.1 2026. |
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Other cancers
Research has linked mutations to an increased risk for other cancers. For example, the 2027 NCCN guidelines state that the risk for melanoma may be slightly elevated. A genetics expert can look at your family medical history and other factors to help you understand your risk for additional cancers.
Participate in Prevention Research
Below are some of our featured research studies looking at new ways to screen for, prevent or intercept cancer in people with mutations. To search for additional studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
IGNITE-TX - Identifying Individuals for Genetic Testing for Familial Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT07318363
Evaluating the Safety of Nipple Sparing Mastectomy in Women With a High Risk for Breast Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT06888388
Vaccine for People at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05013216
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04294927
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
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