Breast cancer and ovarian cancer share a deeper biological connection than many women realize — one rooted in genetics. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can dramatically raise a woman’s lifetime risk for both diseases, sometimes passed silently through generations. Understanding this link is the first step toward earlier detection and potentially life-saving decisions.
En bref
- —BRCA1 mutation: up to 72% breast cancer risk, 44% ovarian
- —Family history of either cancer can signal shared genetic risk
- —Preventive surgery and genetic testing can drastically cut risk
BRCA1 and BRCA2: mutations that raise risk up to 72%
At the heart of the breast-ovarian cancer connection are two genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. Under normal circumstances, these genes help repair damaged DNA and suppress tumor growth. When inherited mutations disrupt their function, the body loses a critical line of defense against cancer.
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