If you have an altered BRCA gene

If you have an altered BRCA gene, it can help to understand what will happen next and how much the alteration increases your risk of cancer. 

What happens if I have a BRCA alteration?

  • If a genetic test shows you have an altered BRCA gene, your genetic counsellor will talk through what your genetic test result means for you. 
  • You will be referred to a breast centre and/or hospital, where specialists will help you to manage your cancer risk.
  • In the case of an increased risk of prostate cancer, your GP will be your main point of contact. 
BRCA diagnosis next steps

Genetic testing after a cancer diagnosis

Sometimes genetic testing happens after a person has been diagnosed with certain cancers, to see if the cancer might be linked to a genetic alteration. 

If you find out you have BRCA alteration after you have been diagnosed with cancer, you might need further treatment or a change to your follow-up care plan. 

You might also need extra emotional support if you are trying to understand what the BRCA alteration means for you and your family, as well as coping with your cancer and treatment. 

Talk to your specialist nurse if you need more information or support. You can also talk to our cancer nurses - call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre. 

Talking about a BRCA alteration

Telling people about your increased risk of cancer can be very difficult. It can be hard to find the words. You may also have feelings such as guilt, sadness or anxiety before or after the conversation. 

Your genetic counsellor will give you advice about how to tell family members about your genetic test result. They can also give you a letter with information on your BRCA test results, which you can show to your family. 

Support for conversations about BRCA

  • Talk to our cancer nurses
  • Take part in free counselling from the Irish Cancer Society
  • Join a support group. Call our Support Line for information on support near you.

Talking to children about BRCA

We have support for you if you aren't sure how to talk to your children about your own BRCA alteration or BRCA within your family. 

Talking to children about BRCA

What’s my cancer risk?

  • If you have an altered BRCA gene, you have a much higher risk of getting certain cancers than a person without this alteration. 
  • How much higher your cancer risk is depends on the gene affected – if it is BRCA1 or BRCA2 – your sex and your age. The risk increases as you get older. 

There is some information on cancer risk below, but it’s best to talk to a genetic counsellor about what this information might mean for you. 

Having a BRCA alteration does not mean you will get cancer, but your risk is much higher than people who don't have it. 

How much do BRCA1 and BRCA2 alterations increase the risk of cancer?

  • The risk of getting cancer for people with an altered BRCA gene is worked out by looking at what has happened to other people who have a genetic alteration - If they got cancer and at what age. 
  • The increased risk can be seen by comparing the likelihood of someone with a BRCA alteration getting cancer with the likelihood of getting the same cancer among people who don’t have a BRCA alteration (the general population risk). 

Everyone is different, so the risk figures are just a guide - what happened to other people might not happen to you. 

BRCA 1 risk figures

  • Over 7 in 10 of those with a BRCA1 alteration develop breast cancer by the age of 80.
  • The risk is lower when you are younger and increases as you get older.
  • Nearly 3 in 10 will not get breast cancer by age 80.
  • Around 1 in 10 of those without a BRCA1 alteration will get breast cancer by the age of 80.
  • Men with a BRCA1 alteration have a risk of around 1 in 100 of developing breast cancer by age 70. 
  • The risk among those without a BRCA alteration is around 1 in 1000.

  • Over 4 in 10 women with a BRCA1 alteration develop ovarian cancer by the age of 80.
  • The risk is lower when you are younger and increases from age 40.
  • Nearly 6 in 10 do not develop ovarian cancer by age 80.
  • Around 2 in 100 of those without a BRCA alteration will get ovarian cancer by the age of 80
  • Men with a BRCA1 alteration have an 8-26% chance of developing prostate cancer by age 85. 
  • Those without the alteration have a risk of approximately 12%.

BRCA 2 risk figures

  • Around 7 in 10 of those with a BRCA2 alteration develop breast cancer by the age of 80.
  • The risk is lower when you are younger and increases as you get older.
  • Around 3 in 10 do not develop breast cancer by age 80.
  • Around 1 in 10 of those without a BRCA alteration will get breast cancer by the age of 80.
  • Men with a BRCA2 alteration have a risk of around 4 in 100 of developing breast cancer by age 70. 
  • The risk among those without a BRCA alteration is around 1 in 1000.

  • Around 2 in 10 women with a BRCA2 alteration develop ovarian cancer by the age of 80.
  • The risk is lower when you are younger and increases from your mid to late 40s
  • More than 8 in 10 do not develop ovarian cancer by age 80.
  • Around 2 in 100 of those without a BRCA alteration will get ovarian cancer by the age of 80
  • Men with a BRCA2 alteration have a risk of nearly 3 in 10 of developing prostate cancer by the time they are 80 years old.
  • Those without the alteration have a risk of approximately 12%

Risk increases with age

This risk of developing cancer increases as you age. Your age will be an important factor in making risk-management decisions. 

www.brcadecisionaid.ie has more information on risk and charts showing how cancer risk increases with age.

More about BRCA1 risks
More about BRCA2 risks

Will I be able to get health insurance and life insurance?

You do not need to tell insurers about the results of any genetic tests you have had. You may need to tell insurers about past medical care. For example, surgeries. But you do not need to tell them that you have an altered BRCA gene.

Related links

BRCA risk management
BRCA, fertility and family planning
Talking to children about BRCA

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