What is hereditary breast and ovarian cancer?
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) may be a possible diagnosis when there are multiple cases of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer on the same side of the family. The chance that a family has HBOC increases when:
- One or more women are diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
- There is breast or ovarian cancer in multiple generations on the same side of the family (such as mother and daughter)
- A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer twice or has both breast and ovarian cancers
- A male relative is diagnosed with breast cancer
What causes HBOC?
HBOC is a genetic condition. This means that the cancer risk can be passed from generation to generation in a family. Two genes are associated with HBOC: BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA stands for BReast CAncer). A mutation (alteration) in either of these genes gives a woman an increased lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Men with these gene mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer and for prostate cancer. Not all families with multiple cases of breast and ovarian cancer have mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Research is ongoing to identify other genes associated with HBOC.
How is HBOC inherited?
Normally, every cell has two copies of each gene: one inherited from the mother and one inherited from the father. HBOC follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, in which a mutation needs to happen in only one copy of the gene for the person to have an increased risk of getting that disease. This means that a parent with a gene mutation may pass along a copy of their normal gene or a copy of the gene with the mutation. Therefore, a child who has a parent with a mutation has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. A brother, sister, or parent of a person who has a mutation also has a 50% chance of having the same mutation.
How common is HBOC?
Most breast and ovarian cancers are sporadic, meaning they occur by chance with no known cause. Most women who have breast or ovarian cancer do not have HBOC. Current estimates are that less than 1% of the general population has a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes and only 10% to 15% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have one of these genes. HBOC is most frequently diagnosed when there are multiple cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on the same side of the family. In families with four or more cases of breast cancer diagnosed before age 60, the chance of HBOC is approximately 80%. To compare, the chance of finding HBOC when only one woman has had breast cancer diagnosed under age 50 is estimated to be 10% or less.
Individuals with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have an increased chance of having HBOC. Three specific gene mutations are common in this group:
- 185delAG in BRCA1 (also reported as 187delAG)
- 5382insC in BRCA1
- 6174delT in BRCA2
It is estimated that about one in 40 individuals with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry has one of these three mutations.
How is HBOC diagnosed?
Families with multiple women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 and families with both breast and ovarian cancers may be considered to have HBOC. Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can be diagnosed through a blood test. Since most breast and ovarian cancers are sporadic, genetic testing is only recommended for people who have a family history that suggests HBOC. Testing for mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may not be beneficial for the average woman.
What are the estimated cancer risks associated with HBOC?
Cancer risks for women with HBOC
- Lifetime risk of breast cancer
|
50% to 85% |
- Risk of breast cancer before age 50
|
30% to 50% |
- Lifetime risk of ovarian cancer
- BRCA1 gene mutation
- BRCA2 gene mutation
|
25% to 40%
15% to 27%
|
- There is also an increased risk of a second breast cancer diagnosis.
|
Cancer risks for men with HBOC
- Lifetime risk of breast cancer
- BRCA1 gene mutation
- BRCA2 gene mutation
|
some increased risk
up to 6%
|
- Risk of prostate cancer
- BRCA1 gene mutation
- BRCA2 gene mutation
|
some increased risk
up to 20%
|
- Men with a BRCA2 gene mutation have a significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer before age 65.
|
Other cancer risks with HBOC
Both men and women with mutations in the
BRCA2 gene may be at increased risk of other types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer and melanoma. There may be other cancer risks for men and women with
BRCA1 gene mutations, as well.
What are the screening options for HBOC?
It is important to discuss with your doctor the following screening options, as each individual is different:
Screening for women
- Monthly breast self-examinations, beginning at age 18
- Biyearly clinical breast examinations (examination performed by a doctor or nurse), beginning between the ages of 25 to 30
- Biyearly mammograms, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30; the American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
- Breast ultrasound may be used with mammogram, especially in young women
- Some doctors suggest alternating mammograms with MRI
- Yearly or biyearly pelvic examination, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30
- Yearly or biyearly transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30
- Yearly CA-125 blood test, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30
Screening for men
- Monthly breast self-examinations, beginning around age 30
- Yearly clinical breast examinations, beginning around age 30
- Yearly prostate cancer screening, beginning around age 40
Screening options may change over time as new technologies are developed and more is learned about HBOC. It is important to talk with your doctor about appropriate screening tests.
To learn more about what to expect during common diagnostic tests, read Tests and Procedures.
Questions to ask the doctor
If you are concerned about your risk of breast or ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor. Consider asking the following questions of your doctor:
- What is my risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers?
- What can I do to reduce my risk of cancer?
- What are my options for cancer screening?
If you are concerned about your family history and think your family may have HBOC, consider asking the following questions:
- Does my family history increase my risk of breast or ovarian cancer?
- Should I meet with a genetic counselor?
- Should I consider genetic testing?
Additional resources
Cancer.Net Guide to Breast Cancer
The Genetics of Breast Cancer
Cancer.Net Guide to Ovarian Cancer
The Genetics of Ovarian Cancer
Cancer.Net Guide to Male Breast Cancer
Cancer.Net Guide to Prostate Cancer
The Genetics of Prostate Cancer
What to Expect When You Meet With a Genetic Counselor
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
www.networkofstrength.org
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
Information for women who are at a high risk of developing ovarian cancer or breast cancer.
www.facingourrisk.org
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)
www.ovarian.org
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
www.nci.nih.gov
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
To find a genetic counselor in your area, ask your doctor or visit the following websites:
National Society of Genetic Counselors
www.nsgc.org
National Cancer Institute: Cancer Genetics Services Directory
www.cancer.gov/search/geneticsservices
