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.Stay up to date on research and information
Sign Up for FORCE NewslettersCancer 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 10-20 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 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.
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
FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations.
- Our Message Boards allow people to connect with others who share their situation. Once registered, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Our Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation.
- Our moderated, private Facebook group allows you to connect with other community members 24/7.
- Check out our virtual and in-person support meeting calendar.
- Join one of our Zoom community group meetings.
Related Resources
The following resources focus on , and mutations:
- Video: Cancer Risks, Screening & Prevention for People w/ , , & Other Genes
- FORCE's eXaming the Relevance of Articles for You (XRAY) program looks behind the headlines of cancer news to help you understand what the research means for you.
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.