Important points
The risk estimates shown here are average estimates, your chances of developing breast cancer/ovarian cancer may be higher or lower than this
Your chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer can depend on your family history of cancer, the particular gene alteration in your family and other factors
You should discuss your own personal cancer risk with a healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, genetic counsellor)
It is important to remember that even with a BRCA gene alteration, developing cancer is not inevitable; some women with a BRCA1 alteration will never develop cancer even if they do not have any risk-reducing procedures.
Breast Cancer Risks: BRCA1
What is my risk of developing cancer?
If you have inherited a BRCA1 gene alteration you have a much higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in your lifetime than women who do not have a BRCA alteration.
Risk of breast cancer
On average, about 72% of women who have inherited a BRCA1 gene alteration will develop breast cancer by age 80. Different studies have reported different risk estimates, but it is generally accepted that the risk of developing breast cancer by age 80, ranges from 60 to 90% in women with a BRCA1 alteration. In comparison, about 10% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
% of women with BRCA1 alteration who will develop breast cancer by age 80
Your risk of developing breast cancer depends on your age. For example, as you can see in the graph a 20 year old BRCA1 alteration carrier has a much lower risk of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years compared to a 40 year old carrier.
Modified from Kuchenbaecker et al, 2017
Ovarian Cancer Risks: BRCA1
On average, about 44% of women who have inherited a BRCA1 gene alteration will develop ovarian cancer by age 80. Different studies have reported different risk estimates, but it is generally accepted that the risk of developing ovarian cancer by age 80, ranges from 40 to 60% in women with a BRCA1 alteration. In comparison, up to 2% of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime.
% of women with BRCA1 alteration who will develop ovarian cancer by age 80
Modified from Kuchenbaecker et al, 2017
Your risk of developing ovarian cancer depends on your age. For example, as you can see in the graph the risk of developing ovarian cancer begins to increase in BRCA1 alteration carriers from their late thirties.
