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