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What is my risk for cancer?

Women

  • Breast cancer: 56-85% (general population: 11-12%)
  • Ovarian cancer: 15-50% (general population: 1-2%)
  • Melanoma: slightly above 1-3% (general population: 1-3%)
  • Pancreatic cancer: slightly above 1% (general population: less than 1%)

Men

  • Prostate cancer: 20-25% (general population: 15%)
  • Breast cancer: 6-8% (general population: much less than 1%)
  • Melanoma: slightly above 1-3% (general population: 1-3%)
  • Pancreatic cancer: slightly above 1% (general population: less than 1%)

The values above are lifetime risks for cancer. Lifetime risk is often described as risk from birth to age 80. A person’s medical history and sometimes their family history of cancer may alter one’s risk.

What is my risk for second breast cancer?

The average woman with a BRCA mutation has about a 30% risk for a new breast cancer over 15 years. A woman’s lifetime risk (risk up to age 80)for a new breast cancer may range from 20% to over 60%. Many factors increase or decrease the chance for a new breast cancer. Below are the most important factors to take into account:

Women are at increased risk of a new breast cancer if:

  • They had their first breast onset before the age of 50
  • They have a sister, mother or daughter with breast cancer before the age of 50

Women are at decreased risk of a new breast cancer if:

  • They had their first breast cancer after the age of 50
  • They had both ovaries surgically removed especially before the age of 50
  • They have taken or are taking a chemopreventative drug like Tamoxifen

Get more Information

FORCE

  • Breast cancer risk in previvors
  • Risk for a second breast cancer
  • Breast cancer risks after ovarian cancer
  • Male breast risk
  • Other factors that affect breast cancer risk

Contact information

For any questions related to content on this page, or if you would like to see any additional topics discussed, please contact the Cancer Genetics and High Risk Department

Phone: 416-480-6835

Fax: 416-480-5859

Email: occ.genetics@
sunnybrook.ca