What are the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes?
Some families carry certain genes that have been altered or changed and do not work normally. This may lead to a much higher chance, or susceptibility, for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. These genes are called the breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA). Men in some of these families may have a chance of developing breast cancer too. You can inherit these changed genes from either your mother’s or father’s family. So far, only 2 breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been found. As research continues, new BRCA genes may be identified. While these changed genes result in a higher chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer, they do not cause cancer. Not everyone who inherits a changed BRCA gene will develop breast or ovarian cancer.
