Assessing Cancer Risks in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers

Risks for breast and ovarian cancers varied by type of mutation.

Women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have long been known to carry an elevated risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer, but little has been reported on correlations between these cancers and mutation type. Now, the international Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA (CIMBA) has conducted an international observational study of 19,581 individuals with BRCA1 mutations and 11,900 with BRCA2 mutations; >90% were white, and 8%–9% were of Jewish descent. The few women (84) with both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were excluded.

Mean age of breast cancer diagnosis was 39.9 years in BRCA1 mutation carriers and 42.8 years in BRCA2 mutation carriers. Mean age of ovarian cancer diagnosis was 50.0 years in BRCA1 mutation carriers and 54.5 …

Reviewing Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)