▎Edited by WuXi AppTec Content Team

Cancer is a disease that affects human health and longevity

A large part of the gene mutation in a person is caused by factors such as acquired natural aging, lifestyle and environment, and this gene mutation is generally not passed on to offspring; This genetic mutation can also be passed on to future generations

Among the heritable genetic mutations, the most well-known ones are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

According to a study published in the "JAMA Oncology" (JAMA Oncology), BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are associated with an increased risk of 7 types of cancers.

Image source: 123RF

The researchers analyzed data from BioBank Japan, which included 103,261 participants:

• 65,108 were cancer patients, the mean age was 64.

  
  

• 38,153 were controls without cancer or with no family history of cancer.

  
  

The researchers counted the participants' DNA samples and clinical information to assess the carrier rates of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in cancer patients, as well as the association between BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and the risk of 14 cancers

The statistical results showed that among participants with 1, 2, and 3 different types of cancer, the carrier rates of BRCA1 gene mutations were 0.

Among different types of cancer patients, male breast cancer patients have the highest BRCA2 gene mutation carrier rate, 18.
9%; significantly higher than the BRCA1 gene mutation carrier rate (1.
89%)
.

Followed by ovarian cancer patients, the carrier rates of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations were 4.
86% and 3.
42%, respectively
.

Image source: 123RF

After accounting for other factors, the researchers found that carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene was associated with an increased risk of seven types of cancer
.

Participants with mutations in the BRCA1 gene had the highest cumulative risk of breast cancer by age 85 at 72.
5%, followed by ovarian cancer (65.
6%), gastric cancer (21.
3%), pancreatic cancer (16.
0%) and biliary tract cancer (11.
2%) %)
.

Among participants with BRCA2 mutations, the cancer with the highest cumulative risk by age 85 was also breast cancer, at 58.
3%, followed by prostate cancer (24.
5%), stomach cancer (19.
3%), ovarian cancer (14.
8%), and pancreatic cancer.
(13.
7%) and esophageal cancer (5.
2%)
.

Compared with participants without BRCA1 mutations, people with BRCA1 mutations had a significantly higher risk of five types of cancer, including ovarian cancer (75.
6 times), biliary tract cancer (17.
4 times), and female breast cancer (16.
1 times).
times), pancreatic cancer (12.
6 times) and gastric cancer (5.
2 times)
.

Compared with participants without BRCA2 gene mutations, people with BRCA2 gene mutations had a significantly higher risk of developing seven types of cancer, including male breast cancer (67.
9 times), ovarian cancer (11.
3 times), and female breast cancer ( 10.
9 times), pancreatic cancer (10.
7 times), esophageal cancer (5.
6 times), gastric cancer (4.
7 times) and prostate cancer (4.
0 times)
.

Image source: 123RF

The study noted that in the 1990s, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were identified as causative genes for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome
.

The findings of this study not only add to this evidence, but also highlight that mutations in these two genes are also associated with an increased risk of many other types of cancer and should be a cause for concern and concern
.

"This study provides us with a broad perspective on BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carrier rates, cancer risk, and the clinical characteristics of mutation carriers," the researchers said
.

This information may help improve genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in various cancer types in Asian countries, and encourages similar studies in other countries to explore more cancer risk associations
.

At the same time, the researchers also reminded that if you inherit certain types of gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, it may increase the risk of multiple types of cancer, so it is necessary to understand your family history of cancer; you can also consult a medical staff for genetic testing Tests to find out if you have inherited certain cancer-causing gene mutations
.

When it is confirmed that you have inherited certain gene mutations, don't panic.
This does not mean that you will definitely develop cancer, but the risk is higher.
You should be vigilant and take some measures, such as appropriately increasing the frequency of cancer screening; Use drugs that can reduce cancer risk; have surgery that can reduce risk, and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking and drinking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, increasing physical activity, and avoiding behaviors that increase cancer risk to reduce cancer risk
.

Also, you might want to see:

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References

[1] Yukihide Momozawa, et al.
, (2022).
Expansion of Cancer Risk Profile for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Pathogenic Variants.
JAMA Oncol, DOI: 10.
1001/jamaoncol.
2022.
0476.

[2] Q&A: Genetic abnormalities and cancer risk.
Retrieved Aug 15, 2022, from https://medicalxpress.
com/news/2021-01-qa-genetic-abnormalities-cancer.
html