BRCA2 and cancer risks for men and people assigned male at birth

Men, and people assigned male at birth, who have a BRCA2 gene variant have a higher risk of developing prostate, breast and pancreatic cancer. This page explains more about these risks. It should be read with our BRCA general information about BRCA.

If you have a BRCA2 variant, it is important to talk to your genetics specialist about your cancer risk. They will explain the numbers below and give you more detailed information based on:

• your age
• the most recent research about the type of BRCA2 gene variant you have
• your family history of cancer
• factors in your lifestyle or medical history.

It can be difficult to understand risk statistics and what they mean for you. You may find it helpful to print this page and take it with you to your genetics specialist.

Lifetime risk of prostate cancer

Of 100 men in the general population, 16 or 17 of them will develop prostate cancer before the age of 80. Most of these men are over the age of 65 when they are diagnosed. This also means 83 or 84 of them will not develop prostate cancer.

The risk is higher if you have a BRCA2 variant. Of 100 men with a BRCA2 variant, between 21 and 35 of them will develop prostate cancer before the age of 80. This also means 65 to 79 of them will not develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancers caused by BRCA2 mutations are often diagnosed under the age of 65.

Lifetime risk of breast cancer

Of 100 men in the general population, less than 1 man will develop breast cancer before the age of 80. In fact, breast cancer only affects about 1 in 1,000 men in the general population. This also means 999 men in 1,000 will not develop breast cancer.

The risk is slightly higher if you have a BRCA2 variant. Of 100 men with a BRCA2 variant, between 2 and 8 of them will develop breast cancer before the age of 80. This also means 92 to 98 of them will not develop breast cancer.

Lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer

Of 100 people in the general population, 1 or 2 of them will develop pancreatic cancer before the age of 80. This also means 98 or 99 of them will not develop pancreatic cancer.

The risk is slightly higher if you have a BRCA2 variant. Of 100 men with a BRCA2 variant, between 2 and 5 of them will develop pancreatic cancer before the age of 80. This also means 95 to 98 of them will not develop pancreatic cancer.