Women with certain genes have a 90 percent risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer
During September, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, the University of Colorado Cancer Center at the University of Colorado Denver is joining with the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) to educate women about familial breast-ovarian cancer syndrome.
Women with this syndrome have a 90 percent risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer during their lifetime. By contrast, women without this syndrome have about a 10 percent chance of developing breast cancer and an almost 2 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer. Approximately 10 percent of all cancers have a strong hereditary component.
About one out of every 500 individuals in the general population are members of a family that inherit and pass on a mutation or change in the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) or the breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) gene, the cause of familiar breast-ovarian cancer syndrome. Women with changes in the BRCA1 gene have an 80 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 20 percent to 40 percent chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Changes in the BRCA2 gene result in the same sharply higher risk of developing breast cancer as the BRCA1 gene, but fewer women, 10 percent to 20 percent, will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“ While these statistics sound alarming,” said Susan Davidson, MD, a gynecologic oncology specialist at the Cancer Center, “there are steps every woman can take to manage this increased risk. First, it is extremely important for women to know their family history of these cancers. Second, if it is determined that a woman is at increased risk after undergoing genetic testing, she should discuss the various strategies for managing this risk with her health care provider.”
Women who are found to have these changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes should consider more intense clinical monitoring, including mammograms, pelvic exams and a blood test, called a CA 125 test. Medication, lifestyle changes and preventive surgery also should be considered.
“ It is our hope that during September, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women will have an opportunity to learn more about the inherited link between breast and ovarian cancer, and take appropriate measures,” said Karl C. Podratz, MD, PhD, chairman of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.
The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) was established by SGO in 1991 to develop educational programs for women, and create awareness about the prevention, early detection and treatment of gynecologic cancers. The foundation also supports research and training related to gynecologic cancers.
