Genes linked to inherited cancer risk

The most common genes associated with inherited cancer risk are:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with an increased risk for breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and other cancers. Estimates are that about 1 out of 500 people in the United States has an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. In Jewish people the risk is higher and about 1 in 40 people of Eastern European Jewish ancestry has a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. 
• EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 are the gene responsible for Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is associated with an increased risk for colon, endometrial (uterine) and other cancers. About 1 in 300 people in the United States has an inherited mutation in a Lynch syndrome gene. 

Genes included in multi-gene panel tests 

Multi-gene panel tests look for inherited mutations in many genes at the same time. Most panels look for mutations in one or more of the following genes:

APC	MSH2
ATM	MSH6
BARD1	MUTYH
BRCA1	NBN
BRCA2	NF1
BRIP1	PMS2
CDH1	PTEN
CDK4	RAD51C
CHEK2	RAD51D
EPCAM	STK11
MLH1	TP53

Different companies may include additional genes in their panel tests. A genetics expert can make sure that the most appropriate test is ordered based on your personal situation and family medical history. A genetic counselor can also make sure that your results are interpreted correctly.