General information for people with inherited BRCA2 mutations
Both men and women can carry a mutation in the BRCA2 gene.
People with an inherited mutation in BRCA2 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 BRCA2 mutation. Clinical trials may also be available for people who test positive for a BRCA2 mutation. See our Risk Management section for more information about screening options in people with BRCA2 mutations.
People with a BRCA2 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 BRCA2 mutation.
Inheriting two mutations in BRCA2—one from each parent—causes a rare disease known as Fanconi anemia. See our Other Considerations section for more information about this disease.
BRCA2 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 BRCA2 mutation than people who are not of Jewish descent.
The name BRCA2 stands for "Breast Cancer 2." The BRCA2 gene is located on chromosome 13. BRCA2 helps to repair damaged DNA.
If you are a person with a BRCA2 mutation, you can find peer support through the following resources:
- FORCE blog: Read stories submitted by people with BRCA2 mutations
- Video: FORCE members with a BRCA2 mutation
- FORCE's Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation and provide you with a free resource guide.
- Register for the FORCE Message Boards to connect with others who share your situation. Once you register, you can post on the Share Your Mutation board to connect with other people who carry a BRCA2 mutation and the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Contact the FORCE impact leaders in your area to link to local support groups and other resources.
- Attend a virtual support meeting in your area.
- FORCE's eXaming the Relevance of Articles for You (XRAY) program looks behind the headlines of cancer news to help you understand what the research means for you.
- Genetics Home Reference is a site from the U.S. Library of Medicine that provides consumer-friendly information about the effects of an BRCA2 mutation on human health.