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Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Cancer can sometimes run in families; in fact, it is estimated that 5-10% of all cancer cases are inherited. This includes up to 10% of breast cancers and up to 25% of ovarian cancers. The characteristic features of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are an early age of onset of the disease and/or a high incidence in the family.

Inherited mutations (genetic variants) can be passed down from parents to their children, increasing the risk of developing cancer in the future. Genetic testing can identify these inherited genetic variants and enable appropriate preventive measures, regular routine monitoring or better clinical management of the disease in the future.

Our latest infographic is all about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and includes information about the genetic variants that can cause these hereditary cancers.

Topics covered in this infographic:

  • Causes of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
  • BRCA gene variants
  • Genetic testing
  • Why genetic testing is important for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
  • Raising awareness
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References

The infographic was compiled using information from the following sources:

“Breast Cancer Risk Factors You Cannot Change.” American Cancer Society, last revised: December 16, 2021, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/breast-cancer-risk-factors-you-cannot-change.html. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.

“Hereditary Breast Cancer and BRCA Genes.” CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 21 Mar. 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/young_women/bringyourbrave/hereditary_breast_cancer/index.htm. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.

“BRCA: The Breast Cancer Gene.” National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., Medically reviewed June 2023, https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-brca/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.

“BRCA Gene Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing.” NIH National Cancer Institute, reviewed 19 Nov. 2020, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.

Kuchenbaecker, Karoline B et al. “Risks of Breast, Ovarian, and Contralateral Breast Cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers.” JAMA vol. 317,23 (2017): 2402-2416, doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7112, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2632503.

Raeke, Meagan. “BRCA Mutations in Men: Three Things to Know.” Penn Medicine News, 02 May 2023, https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2023/may/men-with-brca. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.

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