Between 1 in 800 and 1 in 1000 women in the United States carries a BRCA mutation.
Reasons to Get BRCA Tested
Up to 39% of women with a BRCA1 mutation will develop ovarian cancer by age 70.
How BRCA Impacts Ovarian CancerEveryone carries 2 copies of BRCA genes inherited from his or her mother and father. If 1 parent has a BRCA mutation, all of his or her children have a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. Even if a child inherits only 1 mutated BRCA gene, that person’s risk of developing cancer increases.
It’s important to know if your family is at risk—it could be life-changing.
Talking about cancer is never easy—it’s a process that requires patience and empathy. Sometimes it can be helpful to hear stories from those who have been tested. If you want to inform family members about their own risk, there are several things to keep in mind. Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) offers tips for talking to your family about hereditary cancers.
Visit FORCE
Provide a way for your family and friends to learn more about BRCA and how mutations can impact them. Print out the BRCA Guide and pass it along to those who are interested in learning more.
