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- What Are BRCA Genes?
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes responsible for repairing damaged DNA and maintaining the stability of a cell’s genetic material.
- Mutations in these genes impair their ability to repair DNA, significantly increasing the risk of developing certain cancers.
- Increased Risk:
- Women with a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 72% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 44% risk of ovarian cancer .
- Women with a BRCA2 mutation face a 69% risk of breast cancer and an 18% risk of ovarian cancer .
- These risks are far higher than the general population’s risk (about 12–13% for breast cancer and 1–2% for ovarian cancer).
- What Are BRCA Genes?
- Why It Matters:
- Knowing your genetic risk can help guide screening, prevention, and treatment decisions. For example, women with BRCA mutations may choose preventive surgeries like mastectomy or oophorectomy to reduce their risk.
2. Hormonal Factors: Estrogen’s Role
Hormones, especially estrogen, play a key role in the development of both breast and ovarian cancer.
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- Estrogen Exposure:
- Prolonged exposure to estrogen—whether due to early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or nulliparity (never having children)—increases the risk of both cancers.
- Estrogen stimulates the growth of breast tissue and influences the lining of the ovaries, potentially promoting cancerous changes.
- Shared Risk Factors:
- Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity, which disrupt hormone balance, are linked to an increased risk of both cancers.
- Estrogen Exposure:
