BRCA1, BRCA2, and Breast Cancer: Not Just a Women’s Issue
When we think of breast cancer, it’s often seen as a concern only for women. However, breast cancer risk—and the importance of genetic testing—actually applies to all of us. Everyone, regardless of sex or gender, is born with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that play an important role in whether a person develops breast, ovarian, prostate, and/or pancreatic cancers. Since we all have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, knowing whether you carry a variant in one of these genes can be tremendously helpful when it comes to tailoring cancer prevention, screening, and even treatment.
Understanding Your Risk
Knowing your genetic risk is an important step in taking charge of your health. Anyone can inherit a BRCA variant that increases the likelihood of developing cancer – no matter your sex or gender.
While it’s common to think that breast cancer or ovarian cancer risks are only associated with a family history on the mother’s side, cancer risks are passed down equally from both parents. If your father’s side of the family has a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, or pancreatic cancer, this could signal that BRCA-related cancer risks run in your family. In other words, a family history of cancer on either side of the family can be a strong indicator that you might benefit from genetic testing.
Cancer Risks for Men
For men with disease-associated BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants, the risks for cancer are real and significant. Though less common than in women, breast cancer does occur in men. Males with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants are at a higher risk for not only male breast cancer, but also aggressive prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Genetic testing can help identify these risks early, providing valuable information that can prompt enhanced screening or lifestyle changes to lower overall risk.
The Role of Genetic Testing
Genetic testing plays a key role in understanding cancer risks for everyone. If you have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing for BRCA1, BRCA2, and other hereditary cancer genes can help paint a clearer picture of your health. For those with partners who have a family history of breast cancer, understanding genetic testing options can provide valuable context, helping you be a more informed and supportive partner.
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests like 23andMe can play a key role in starting important conversations surrounding family history and health. 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report* includes a genetic report for 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. If you have one of these BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants, you have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. Keep in mind, though, this test is not meant to be diagnostic of cancer. There are thousands of genetic variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes that can increase someone’s risk of breast and other cancers. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor or a genetics professional to help you figure out the right testing strategy. Learn more about 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report here.
Taking Action
Being proactive about cancer risk doesn’t just benefit you—it can impact your entire family. Understanding your genetic risks empowers you to make informed choices, whether that’s pursuing additional screening, discussing preventive options with your healthcare provider, or sharing this important information with loved ones.
No matter your sex or gender, knowing your BRCA status can be life-changing. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—take control of your health by exploring genetic testing and learning more about your family’s cancer history.
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants). Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatments. Warnings & Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person’s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18, and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit 23andme.com/test-info.
Information provided by Sharsheret is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider.
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