“It is time to offer genetic screening of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to every women”

Breast cancer genetics

Breast cancer is the most common oncological women disease in developed countries. There is around 10% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer for every women (i.e., 1 in 10).

Although the majority of breast cancer cases are sporadic, up to 10-15% are inherited. This means that the disease is caused by pathogenic known genetic defects (gene mutations) that can be passed from generation to generation. Moreover, when there is a significant history of breast cancer in a family, hereditary component is almost guaranteed.

About 15-30% of women with breast cancer have relatives affected by the same disease, what is called familial breast cancer. Familial breast cancer is due to a variety of known and unknown genetic variants (eg. SNP, single nucleotide polymorphisms), and environmental factors.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are the main and most important breast and ovarian cancer genetic risk factors, which testing is recommended for ALL WOMEN.

Since gene mutations are inherited by both women and men, genetic testing is also important to MEN.

There are at least 19 known genes which mutations confers increased breast and ovarian cancer risk. Regardless of your family history only comprehensive testing can determine if you carry a gene mutation.