Cancer risk associated with inherited BRCA2 mutations

If you have tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation, we recommend that you consult with a genetics expert who can assess your personal and family history of cancer, and help you determine the best risk management plan.

Research on lifetime cancer risk for people with BRCA2 mutations has varied. The following risks are estimates based on review of different large studies. The average age of a cancer diagnosis is younger in people with a BRCA2 mutation than people who do not have a mutation. 

Risks in women

• Breast cancer: The lifetime risk with a BRCA2 mutation is about 60 percent, compared with 12.5 percent for a woman of average risk. 
• Ovarian cancer: The lifetime risk with a BRCA2 mutation is about 15-30 percent, compared with 1.3 percent for a woman of average risk.
• Second breast cancer in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer: The lifetime risk is about 25 percent.

Risks in men

• Prostate cancer: The lifetime risk for a man with a BRCA2 mutation is about 30-60 percent, compared with 12 percent for a man of average risk. Prostate cancer in men with an inherited BRCA2 mutation may be more aggressive than in men without an inherited mutation. 
• Male breast cancer: The lifetime risk for a man with a BRCA2 mutation is about 7 percent. Breast cancers in men with inherited BRCA2 mutations tend to occur at a younger age than in men without inherited mutations.

Risks in both men and women

• Pancreatic cancer: The lifetime risk for a person with a BRCA2 mutation is about 5-10 percent compared with 1 percent for a person of average risk. 
• Research on how mutations in the BRCA2 gene affect cancer risk is ongoing. Some research suggests that BRCA2 mutations may increase risk for melanoma. However, because these studies are not conclusive, genetics experts often look at a person’s family history of cancer to help people with BRCA2 mutations understand their risk for additional cancers.