BRCA in Men
Men who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations face an increased risk of several cancers that can develop over their lifetime. Male BRCA2 carriers are at particularly high risk of prostate cancer, which tends to be more aggressive and diagnosed at a younger age, as well as male breast cancer.
Understanding your carrier status can influence how doctors respond to early signs of cancer and what screening they recommend. Screening and prevention options are also available for men identified as high risk. Even if a male carrier never develops cancer, he can still pass the BRCA gene mutations on to his children.*
This site focuses on BRCA gene mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, in support of the BC Ashkenazi Jewish community. Around 90% of carriers in this population have one of three mutations — known as "founder mutations" — BRCA1 185delAG, BRCA1 5382insC, or BRCA2 6174delT. Information on the risk profiles for each of these mutations in men can be found below.
*All statistics on this site have been reviewed and validated by medical professionals at BC Cancer.
BRCA 1
There are two primary BRCA1 genes found in the Ashkenazi Jewish population: BRCA1 185delAG is the most common BRCA1 mutation and BRCA1 5382insC is the less common BRCA1 mutation. Both are similar in terms of their cancer risks (reported below), but there is some evidence BRCA1 5382insC carriers may not be at the same degree of increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score 7-10), as BRCA1 185delAG carriers.*
Prostate Cancer
The lifetime risk for a man with a BRCA1 mutation is currently estimated at up to* 26 percent compared to 12 percent on average. For some BRCA1+ men, the risk will be significantly lower.
Men with BRCA1 mutations may be more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score 7-10) than men without an inherited mutation.
Male Breast Cancer
There is an increased lifetime risk of male breast cancer (with estimates up to* 5%) in BRCA1 carriers.
Other Cancers
The lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer for a person with a BRCA1 mutation is up to 2.6% compared to 1% on average.
Some research suggests that BRCA1 mutations BRCA1 carriers are at 4 times the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. They may also be at increased risk for all cancers, such as laryngeal and stomach cancers, and melanoma (average 2.6 times the risk). However, because these studies are not conclusive, genetics experts often look at a person’s family history of cancer to help people with BRCA1 mutations understand their risk.
*All statistics on this site have been reviewed and validated by medical professionals at BC Cancer.
BRCA 2
BRCA2 6174delT is the primary ‘founder mutation’ carried in people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Half of all BRCA carriers in the Ashkenazi Jewish population will carry this mutation.*
Prostate Cancer
The lifetime risk for a man with a BRCA2 mutation is currently estimated at up to* 61% compared to 12% on average. For some BRCA2+ men, the risk will be significantly lower. Prostate cancers in men with inherited BRCA2 mutations may be more aggressive than in men without an inherited mutation. Some limited data suggest there is 3.5 times the risk of developing a potentially aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score 7-10) with a younger average age of diagnosis.
Male Breast Cancer
The lifetime risk of breast cancer for a man with a BRCA2 mutation is up to* 10% in men. These tend to occur at a younger age than in men who do not have an inherited mutation.
Other Cancers
The lifetime risk for pancreatic cancer for a person with a BRCA2 mutation is about 5% compared to 1% on average.
Research on how mutations in the BRCA2 gene affect cancer risk is ongoing. Some research suggests that carriers of BRCA2 mutations are at 12 times the lifetime risk of lymphoma. BRCA2 may also increase risk for all cancers, such as laryngeal and stomach cancers and melanoma (average 1.8 times the risk). However, because these studies are not conclusive, genetics experts often look at a person’s family history of cancer to help people with BRCA2 mutations understand their risk for additional cancers.
*All statistics on this site have been reviewed and validated by medical professionals at BC Cancer.
*The most current statistics on cancer risks in BRCA+ men involve a range of risk estimates based on polygenic risk scores, with some BRCA+ men showing risk well below the quoted statistics. For an in-depth explanation of these statistics, please check out the source article here.
Check out our new brochure for men!
Designed with support from the AstraZeneca-Merck Alliance, this brochure was created for men in British Columbia to help them understand the risks associated with carrying a BRCA gene and discuss the benefits of getting genetic testing. The brochure is available for reprint at cost, on request.