BRCA 1 / 2

What does it mean for a woman carrying both BRCA 1 and 2 as opposed to women who only carry 1 of these mutations?  What percentage of the population have BOTH?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
I do not know what percentage carries both bRCA1 and 2 mutations. Only about 10 % of all women who develop breast or ovarian cancer have these mutations. They are differnt mutations , on different chromosomes. Both mutations put a woman at risk for breast and ovarian cancer. If someone has both mutations, I would assume their risk of these cancers is higher. I would recommend that a woman who has these mutations consider the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes and prophylactic mastectomies. She should see an oncologist who is familiar with this issue ( gyn oncologist) for carefully counseling
take care