Lifetime Cancer Risk is High in Unaffected BRCA Carriers
1. As reported in Family Practice News, Jan 15, 2008.
A. Most women age 55 and older are discovered to be BRCA carriers when they are tested at the behest of their familys, when a daughter may have developed breast cancer and proven to be BRCA positive.
B. Most of these women do not undergo any special screening as a result of the finding.
C. Estimated lifetime risk at age 55 for a BRCA 1 carrier is 55% for breast cancer and 45% for ovarian cancer.
D. Estimated lifetime risk at age 55 for a BRCA 2 carrier is 47% for breast cancer and 13% for ovarian cancer.
E. The authors feel that based upon these risk estimates, it is very appropriate for older, unaffected BRCA-positive women to adopt more intensive cancer screening and preventive measures.