General information for people with inherited mutations
Both men and women can carry a mutation in the gene.
People with an in have increased risk for certain cancers. See our Cancer Risk section for more information. There are guidelines for screening and prevention for certain cancers in people with a mutation. Clinical trials may also be available for people who test positive for a mutation. See our Risk Management section for more information about screening options in people with mutations.
People with a mutation who have been diagnosed with cancer may qualify for specific treatments or clinical trials. Visit our Cancer Treatment section for more information about treatment clinical trials for people with a mutation.
Inheriting two mutations in —one from each parent—causes a rare disease known as Fanconi anemia. See our Other Considerations section for more information about this disease.
mutations can be found in people of every race and ethnicity. However, people of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish ancestry are more likely to have an inherited mutation than people who are not of Jewish descent.
The name stands for "Breast Cancer 1." The gene is located on chromosome 17. helps to repair damaged .
Get Support
FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations.
- Our Message Boards allow people to connect with others who share their situation. Once registered, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Our Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation.
- Our moderated, private Facebook group allows you to connect with other community members 24/7.
- Check out our virtual and in-person support meeting calendar.
- Join one of our Zoom community group meetings.
updated: 08/06/2022
Related Resources
The following resources focus on and mutations.
- FORCE resources:
- Video: Strategies for Cancer Interception and Prevention in Individuals with Syndromes
- Video: Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with or Mutations
- Video: What’s New in Hereditary Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic and Cancer
- Video playlist: and
- Blogs: and
- XRAY category: and
- Video: Meet FORCE's Community
- Video: Meet FORCE's Community
- Resources from other organizations:
- Genetics Home Reference is a site from the U.S. Library of Medicine that provides consumer-friendly information about the effects of a or mutation on people's health.
- Basser Center for
- Sharsheret
updated: 11/14/2022