Reducing Cancer Risk When You Are BRCA-Positive

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• Topic Overview
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Topic Overview

If you've found out that you have a BRCA gene change, you may be feeling pretty overwhelmed. But when it comes to cancer, knowledge is power. Now that you know you are BRCA-positive, you can take steps to reduce your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Thinking about cancer risk

Experts know that women who are BRCA-positive are more likely than average women to get breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This table shows the predicted number of women in each group who will get cancer by age 70.

It's clear that having a BRCA change makes a big difference. But it's important to realize that:

• If 20 in 100 women with BRCA2 changes get ovarian cancer, this means that 80 in 100 of them don't get it.
• About 60 in 100 women with BRCA1 changes don't get ovarian cancer.
• About 65 in 100 women with BRCA2 changes don't get breast cancer.

The problem is that no one can predict who will or won't get cancer or when. That's why experts suggest that all women with BRCA changes take steps to prevent cancer.

Ways to reduce cancer risk

To help women with BRCA changes, some experts did a study that let them predict how much breast and ovarian cancer risk could be reduced by:

• Having the breasts removed (mastectomy).
• Having the ovaries removed (oophorectomy).
• Having a mammogram and breast MRI every year starting at age 25. These screening tests don't prevent breast cancer. But they can find cancer early, when a cure is most likely.

The study also looked at having the surgeries at different ages. So for example, you can see what difference it might make if you keep your breasts and ovaries until after you are done having children. These results are one piece of information you can use as you can explore how to lower your cancer risk.

Surgery and screening tests are not your only choices. You can also talk to your doctor about preventive medicines such as tamoxifen. And some women choose to have no treatment or extra screening.

Women with BRCA1 changes

According to the study, here's how the different prevention methods affect the life spans of women with BRCA1 changes.

Women with BRCA2 changes

According to the study, here's how the different prevention methods affect the life spans of women with BRCA2 changes.

What should you do now?

Take some time to think about your options. A genetic counselor can help you understand how the prevention options affect your cancer risk. Discuss them with your family and close friends. Then you can reach a decision that feels right for you.

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