Elevated cancer risk in BRCA+ men 

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes normally serve the beneficial purpose of repairing damaged chromosomes and DNA, and thus play a vital role in the body’s ability to battle cancer. However, for both men and women, a genetic mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 carries a heightened risk for certain cancers.

According to the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine, these cancers include breast and pancreatic cancers in both men and women, as well as ovarian and prostate cancers. These gene mutations can be passed on to children of both sexes by either men or women.

Parsing the risks of male-associated BRCA mutation

In affected men, BRCA mutations increase the risk of certain cancers by comparison to non-BRCA carriers:

• Men with BRCA 1 gene mutations have a 1 to 5 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer; those with BRCA2 gene mutations experience a 5 to 10 percent lifetime risk. Men without BRCA mutations have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of .01 percent.
• The lifetime risk for prostate cancer in male noncarriers of BRCA gene mutations is 14 percent. For men with BRCA1/2 mutations, however, the risk of prostate cancer ranges from 25-50 percent, and these cancers may be more aggressive.
• The lifetime risk of pancreatic. cancer in men with BRCA1 mutations is 2 to 3 percent, and 3 to 5 percent for those with BRCA2 mutations, compared to a 1 percent lifetime risk in the general population.

Diagnosis and management

In a new episode of Penn Medicine Physician Interviews podcast, the nuances of BRCA-positive breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers in men are reviewed in detail by cancer and surgery specialists Drs. Kara Maxwell, Daniel J. Lee, Jennifer Q. Zhang and Bryson Katona.

Focusing on primary care provider awareness, the expert panel offers direction on clinical suspicion and the value of early awareness in patients, particularly in men with a family history of BRCA. They also discuss background on the variable character of BRCA-associated cancers in men, diagnostics, including the utility of screening, and surgical and medical management.

Clinical consult and patient referral

To speak with a provider or to refer a patient to the Basser Center for BRCA, please call 877-937-7366. Submit a referral through our secure online referral form.

A panel of Penn BRCA experts review BRCA-associated cancers in men, with a focus on primary care provider awareness. This wide-ranging discussion encompasses BRCA heritability, diagnostics, screening, risks, and treatment options.

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Music.