Women who have a BRCA2 gene mutation have a higher risk of developing breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer during their lifetime. This page explains more about these risks. It should be read with our general information about BRCA.
If you have a BRCA2 mutation, it is important to talk to your genetics specialist about your cancer risk. They will explain the numbers below in more detail. Your risk may be affected by:
- your age
- the type of BRCA2 gene mutation you have
- your family history of cancer.
It can be difficult to understand risk statistics and what they mean for you. You may find it helpful to print a copy of this page and take it with you to talk about it with your genetics specialist.
Lifetime risk of breast cancer
Of 100 women in the general population, 12 or 13 of them will develop breast cancer before the age of 80.
The risk is higher if you have a BRCA2 mutation. Of 100 women with a BRCA2 mutation, 61 to 77 of them will develop breast cancer before the age of 80.
Lifetime risk of ovarian cancer
Of 100 women in the general population, less than 2 of them will develop ovarian cancer before the age of 80.
The risk is higher if you have a BRCA2 mutation. Of 100 women with a BRCA2 mutation, 11 to 25 of them will develop ovarian cancer before the age of 80.
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.
The risk is slightly higher if you have a BRCA2 mutation. Of 100 people with a BRCA2 mutation, between 2 and 7 of them will develop pancreatic cancer before the age of 80.