PALB2 Gene Mutations: Cancer Risk
Cancer Risks Associated with Inherited Mutations
People with a mutation have a higher risk for several types of cancer. These cancers tend to happen at a younger age than in people without a mutation.
The risks listed below are estimates based on different research studies. To understand more about your personal risk, we recommend that you speak 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.
Note that when we use "men" and "male" we are referring to people assigned male at birth. When we use "women" and "female" we are referring to people assigned female at birth.
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
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Cancer risk table
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with a PALB2 Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Notes |
35 - 53% |
12.5% |
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<1% (0.9%) |
0.1% |
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Risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer |
5 - 8% risk within 10 years of initial diagnosis |
Applies to women who have not had bilateral mastectomy |
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2 -5% |
1.7% |
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3 - 5% |
1.3% |
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Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, vs. 1 2025 |
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