Risk management for people with inherited RAD51C mutations
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) provides risk management guidelines for people with RAD51C mutations. We recommend that you speak with a genetics expert who can look at your personal and family history of cancer and can help you determine the best risk management plan. You can learn more about risk management options in our section on Screening and Risk Reduction by Cancer Type.
Ovarian cancer prevention
- Consider risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) between the ages of 45-50 or earlier if there is a family history of an earlier ovarian cancer.
Breast cancer screening and prevention
- There has not been enough research to show a benefit from screening and prevention for breast cancer in women who have a RAD51C mutation. For this reason, experts recommend managing these risks based on personal and family history of cancer.
If you are a person with a RAD51C mutation making decisions about managing your cancer risk, you can find peer support through the following resources:
- Register for the FORCE Message Boards to connect with others who share your situation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Read the stories from members of our community.
Health plan coverage of screening and prevention varies, and deductibles, coinsurance and copays often apply. If you need preventive services and your insurance company denies your claim, your health care provider can help you write an appeal letter, or you can use one of our sample appeal letters. Visit our section on Insurance and Paying for Care: Screening and Prevention for more information.
The following screening and prevention studies are open to people with a RAD51C mutation.
Ovarian cancer
- Validating a Blood Test for Early Ovarian Cancer Detection in High-risk Women and Families: MicroRNA Detection Study (MiDE). The goal of MiDe is to develop a clinical diagnostic test to detect early onset ovarian cancer, as currently, there are no good screening or early detection tests available. Participants can be expected to provide up to 4 tubes of blood every 6 months for up to 5 years. We can collect these samples through mobile phlebotomy all around the US.
Prostate cancer
- NCT03805919: Men at High Genetic Risk for Prostate Cancer. This is a prostate cancer screening study using MRI in high risk men. This study is open to men with mutations in RAD51C and other mutations.