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Cancer Risk

Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer, their associated risks and guidelines for screening, preventing and treating cancers in people with inherited mutations in these genes.

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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing > Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > RAD51C > Cancer Risk

The Basics Cancer Risk Risk Management Cancer Treatment Other Considerations
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Cancer risk associated with an inherited  mutation

If you have tested positive for a  mutation, we recommend consulting with a genetics expert who can assess your personal and family history of cancer and can help you decide on a plan to manage your risk. Note that when we use "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

Risk for women

  • Women with a mutation have about a 10-15 percent lifetime risk for ovarian, or primary peritoneal cancer (these three cancers and their risks are related and are often referred to together as ovarian cancer).
  • Women with a mutation have about a 15-30 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer. 

Other cancer risks for people with a mutation

There is not yet enough research to conclude that a mutation is associated with an increased risk of other cancers.  Research on the risk for cancer in people with mutations is ongoing. 

Graph of lifetime risk for ovarian cancer in women with <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-rad51c' x-tooltip='<p>RAD51C is a gene found on chromosome 17.&nbsp;Women who inherit one mutated copy of RAD51C&nbsp;are at an increased risk of&nbsp;ovarian cancer.&nbsp;Ongoing research is studying the extent of that risk, and whether or not inheriting a RAD51C mutation increases a person’s risk for other types cancers.</p> <p>Inheriting two mutated copies of RAD51C, one from each parent, has been shown to cause a rare blood disease known as Fanconi anemia in children. &nbsp;</p> ' >RAD51C</button> mutation     Graph of lifetime risk range for breast cancer in women with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-rad51c' x-tooltip='<p>RAD51C is a gene found on chromosome 17.&nbsp;Women who inherit one mutated copy of RAD51C&nbsp;are at an increased risk of&nbsp;ovarian cancer.&nbsp;Ongoing research is studying the extent of that risk, and whether or not inheriting a RAD51C mutation increases a person’s risk for other types cancers.</p> <p>Inheriting two mutated copies of RAD51C, one from each parent, has been shown to cause a rare blood disease known as Fanconi anemia in children. &nbsp;</p> ' >RAD51C</button> mutation

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

Get Support
Get Support

FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations. 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are risk-management studies enrolling people with inherited mutations. Check study listings or contact the study team to see if you are eligible. 

Multiple cancers

cancer

  • NCT03805919: Men at High Genetic Risk for  Cancer. This is a  cancer screening study using  in high risk men. This study is open to men with , , , , , , , , ,  and other inherited mutations.
  • NCT05129605: Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation and Screening Study (PROGRESS).  This study will look at how well  MRI works as a screening tool for men at high risk for cancer. This study is open to men with inherited mutations in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and other genes. 

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Additional risk-management clinical trials for people with inherited mutations may be found here.

Last updated January 02, 2024