Women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are being warned that once their risk of developing cancer becomes elevated, it stays high for the rest of their lives – contradicting previous thinking that once a woman turned 60 without a cancer diagnosis, her risk dropped.
A world-first study, which followed almost 10,000 women with these mutations in Australia, the United States and Europe over 20 years, found that cancer risk reached its highest level in the 30s for BRCA 1 mutation carriers and in the 40s for BRCA 2 mutation carriers.
The researchers say women with BRCA1 mutations have on average a 72 per cent risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 80. For BRCA2 mutation carriers, the risk is 69 per cent, with a 4 per cent margin for error on both.
Worth knowing your risk
The ovarian cancer risk is also higher over a lifetime, with an average of 44 per cent for BRCA1 and 17 per cent for BRCA2.
Your risk also depends on your family history and where the mutation was on the gene – knowledge the study authors say will help women pinpoint their risk and act on it.
Their message? If you think you or someone you know could be a mutation carrier, it’s important to find out now so you can manage your risk as you get older – don’t wait until it’s too late.
