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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 > RAD51D > Cancer Risk

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Overview
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Cancer Risk
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Risk Management
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Cancer Treatment

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 the term "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

Risk for women

  • Women with a  mutation have about a 10-20 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 20-40 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer with a tendency for . 

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 a woman with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-rad51d' x-tooltip='<p>RAD51D is a gene found on chromosome 17.&nbsp;Several studies have suggested that mutations in the RAD51D gene increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer, and possibly breast cancer as well.&nbsp;Ongoing research is exploring the extent of that risk, and whether or not a RAD51D mutation increases a person’s risk for other types of cancers.</p> ' >RAD51D</button> mutation     Graph of lifetime risk for breast cancer in a woman with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-rad51d' x-tooltip='<p>RAD51D is a gene found on chromosome 17.&nbsp;Several studies have suggested that mutations in the RAD51D gene increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer, and possibly breast cancer as well.&nbsp;Ongoing research is exploring the extent of that risk, and whether or not a RAD51D mutation increases a person’s risk for other types of cancers.</p> ' >RAD51D</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
Last updated September 22, 2022

Get Support
Get Support

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

updated: 08/06/2022

Related Resources
Related Resources

The following resources focus on , and  mutations:

updated: 02/07/2023

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

NCT02665195: Registry Of MultiPlex Testing (PROMPT). PROMPT is an online research registry. The goal of PROMPT is to help researchers to better understand the risks that are linked to mutations in less well-studied genes. People with inherited mutations can enroll in PROMPT to help researchers learn more about cancer risks. 

updated: 05/29/2023