{"id":9021,"date":"2024-10-17T20:14:43","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T17:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9021"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:55:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:55:24","slug":"brca1-and-brca2-are-important-genes-associated-with-cancer-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/brca1-and-brca2-are-important-genes-associated-with-cancer-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"BRCA1 and BRCA2: What you need to know about genes linked to cancer risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are BRCA1 and BRCA2?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

BRCA1 and BRCA2<\/a> \u2014 are genes that are responsible for repairing damaged DNA in cells. They act as so-called \u201ctumor suppressors,\u201d meaning they prevent uncontrolled cell growth. But if there is a mutation in these genes, the DNA repair process is disrupted \u2014 and the likelihood of developing malignant tumors increases, primarily breast and ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n

What is the connection between BRCA mutations and cancer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to National Cancer Institute<\/a>, women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer of up to 72 % and ovarian cancer of up to 44 %. Men with these mutations also have an increased risk of prostate and breast cancer.<\/p>\n

These mutations can be hereditary \u2014 that is, passed down from a father or mother even in the absence of symptoms in the parents themselves.<\/p>\n

\"table<\/p>\n

When to get tested for BRCA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • \n

    If there is a family history of breast cancer, especially before the age of 50<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    If relatives on the father's side were sick (men can also transmit the mutation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    In case of a diagnosis of \u201ctriple-negative breast cancer\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    If ovarian cancer is found in the family<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    If there is a hereditary mutation in the family<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    On the recommendation of a geneticist or oncologist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The test can be done using a simple blood test or a swab from the lining of the mouth. The sample is sent to a laboratory for DNA analysis for known BRCA mutations.<\/p>\n

    What do BRCA test results mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Result<\/th>\nWhat does this mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Positive<\/td>\nMutation detected. Increased risk of cancer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Negative<\/td>\nNo mutations found. Risk is reduced, but not zero<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Variant of unknown significance (VUS)<\/td>\nA change has been identified, the role of which has not yet been determined.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    The presence of a mutation does not mean that cancer will necessarily develop. But it is a signal for regular monitoring and discussion of preventive strategies with a doctor.<\/p>\n

    What measures can be taken with a BRCA mutation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    • \n

      Regular check-up<\/strong>: mammography, MRI, ultrasound<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Drug prophylaxis<\/strong>: tamoxifen or other risk-reducing agents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Preventive surgeries<\/strong>: mastectomy (removal of the breast), oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Healthy lifestyle<\/strong>: weight control, alcohol restriction, physical activity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Genetic counseling<\/strong>: for you and your relatives<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      It is known that actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive mastectomy after being diagnosed with the BRCA1 mutation, thereby initiating a wide discussion about the importance of this test in medical prevention.<\/p>\n

      Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 is an early warning tool that allows you to identify risks in time and maintain your health. Knowing your genetics is not a sentence, but an opportunity to act proactively.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      What are BRCA1 and BRCA2? BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that are responsible for repairing damaged DNA in cells. They<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9022,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}