Breast Cancer Tips

Information About the Breast Cancer Gene

Family Patterns for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 Mutations

You can get an altered BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene from either of your parents. It does not pass only from mothers. If one of your parents carries a mutated form of the gene, you and your siblings have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated form. Your children and other relatives, like cousins, may face the same odds. Many family members could be at risk for breast cancer, as well as other cancers like ovarian cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer, which are also linked to these genes. Keep in mind that having the mutated gene indicates increased risk. It does not mean you will certainly get cancer. But it should indicate that you and everyone in your family should be screened early and often for all of these types of cancer.