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.
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 your:
- current age.
- sex assigned at birth.
- specific mutation.
- personal and family health history.
- diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors.
Cancer risk table
|
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with a Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Additional Information |
|
32 - 53% |
12.5% |
||
|
0.9% |
0.1% |
||
|
Risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer |
5 - 8% risk within 10 years of initial diagnosis |
More research is needed to confirm this risk. This applies to women who have not had mastectomy. |
|
|
2 -5% |
1.7% |
||
|
3 - 5% |
1.3% |
||
|
cancer |
May be increased |
12% |
Growing evidence suggests an increased risk. More research is needed to confirm this. |
|
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate; v.1 2027. |
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Other cancers
Some research has shown that people with a mutation and a type of bacterial infection known as may have an increased risk for stomach cancer compared with people who do not have a mutation. Because many questions about cancer risk remain unanswered, genetics experts often use a family's history of cancer and other risk factors to help people with a mutation better understand their cancer risks and make informed decisions about their care.
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