Breast/Ovarian Cancer Genes
What is BRCA1 & BRCA2?
What does the term a "BRCA1 gene" or a "BRCA2 gene" mean?
Some families carry genes that have been altered and due to this gene fault (mutation) they do not work as they normally would. This may lead to a much higher chance, or susceptibility, for developing breast, ovarian or prostate cancer. These genes are called the breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA), the BRCA1 gene was first identified in 1994, then the BRCA2 gene in 1996. You can inherit these genetic changes or faults in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from either your mother’s or father’s side of the family. So far, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the only two major breast cancer susceptibility genes to have been found. Genetic changes or faults in other genes (ATM, p53) have been found that are known to cause breast cancer although they are very rare in occurrence.
It is also important to remember, not everyone who inherits changed BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes will develop breast, ovarian or prostate cancer.
Does the BRCA1&2 gene cause breast cancer?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are gene's that help to repair damage to DNA in breast and ovary cells and therefore normally protect against breast and ovarian cancer. Women with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 will not definitely get breast cancer, but they are more likely than other women to get it.
BCRA1/2 mutations can contribute to a breast/ovary cell becoming cancerous. When a mutated BCRA1/2 gene is passed from parent to child, all the breasts' cells carry this mutation. They have a 'head start' in the process of collecting enough genetic mutations to enable them to become cancerous. But other changes still need to happen to make a cancer start, which is why not all women will develop cancer.
Information from Australian Cancer Clinics
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