27/09/2023
❓Who should be screened for the BRCA gene?
🧬 It’s really important to remember that cancers are not usually inherited, but some types- mainly breast, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancer – can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families.
🦠We all carry genes that help protect us from cancer, the role of these genes is to act as surveillance - they correct any DNA damage that naturally happens when cells divide.
🩻 Inheriting faulty versions or "variants" of these genes significantly raises your risk of developing cancer, because the altered genes cannot repair the damaged cells, which can build up and form a tumour.
⬆️ BRCA1 and BRCA2 are examples of genes that raise your cancer risk if they become altered. Having a variant BRCA gene greatly increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
🧪 The BRCA gene test is offered to those who are likely to have an inherited mutation based on personal or family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Your GP will usually take a detailed history before deciding whether you need to be referred for further genetic testing or not, but red flags within someones history includes (but is not exhaustive);
▶️breast cancer before 30 years,
▶️invasive breast cancer before 40 years,
▶️bilateral breast cancer before 50 years or
▶️male breast cancer at any age.
If you think your family may be affected it’s important to seek advice as to whether gene testing may be indicated. But do remember breast cancer is common, up-to 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer at some time- and it is more than likely someone in your family will be diagnosed, this doesn’t automatically mean it will be inherited, don’t panic!