Ovarian Cancer Series 03: How Much Does a BRCA Gene Mutation Increase Ovarian Cancer Risk?
If someone in your family has been diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer, or if genetic testing has identified a BRCA gene change, one question may immediately come to mind: “If I have a BRCA mutation, does that mean I will develop ovarian cancer?” Certain inherited harmful changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2—more precisely called pathogenic variants —can substantially increase the risk of ovarian cancer. However, having a BRCA pathogenic variant does not mean that ovarian cancer will definitely develop. What matters is understanding how much the risk increases, how family history should be interpreted, and what a genetic test result may mean for you and your family. What Are BRCA1 and BRCA2? BRCA1 and BRCA2 are sometimes referred to as “breast cancer genes” or even “cancer genes,” but their normal function is not to cause cancer. Both genes produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA and play an important role in protecting cells from becoming cancerous. Everyone normally has two co...