what is brca

BRCA stands for "BReast CAncer gene" and refers to two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that have been found to impact a persons chances of developing breast cancer. These genes are tumor suppressor genes that normally play a big role in preventing breast cancer by helping to repair DNA breaks that can lead to cancer and the uncontrolled growth of tumors. However, when a BRCA gene is mutated, it may no longer be effective at repairing broken DNA and helping to prevent breast cancer, which increases the risk of developing breast cancer and other cancers. A harmful variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 can be inherited from either parent, and each child of a parent who carries any mutation in one of these genes has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation. BRCA mutations can increase the risk of several additional cancers, such as ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Genetic testing can be done to determine if someone has a BRCA gene mutation, and several options are available for reducing cancer risk in individuals who have inherited a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant, including enhanced screening, risk-reducing surgery, and chemoprevention.