Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Male Breast Cancer Patients in Canada

Men who inherit a mutation in the BRCA2 gene carry a 6% risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 70. The proportion of male breast cancers attributable to BRCA mutations has not yet been determined with accuracy. We studied a series of 14 male breast cancer patients, unselected for family hist...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical breast cancer 2000-04, Vol.1 (1), p.57-63
Main Authors: Wolpert, Natalie, Warner, Ellen, Seminsky, Maureen F., Futreal, Andrew, Narod, Steven A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Distribution
Age of Onset
Aged
Alcoholism - complications
BRCA 1
BRCA 2
Breast Neoplasms, Male - diagnosis
Breast Neoplasms, Male - epidemiology
Breast Neoplasms, Male - genetics
DNA Mutational Analysis - methods
Family history
Genes
Genes, BRCA1
Genes, BRCA2
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Predisposition to Disease - epidemiology
Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics
Genetic Testing - methods
Germ-Line Mutation - genetics
Hereditary breast cancer
Heterozygote
Humans
Male
Medical History Taking
Middle Aged
Ontario - epidemiology
Pedigree
Prevalence
Registries
Risk Factors
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Summary:Men who inherit a mutation in the BRCA2 gene carry a 6% risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 70. The proportion of male breast cancers attributable to BRCA mutations has not yet been determined with accuracy. We studied a series of 14 male breast cancer patients, unselected for family history or ethnicity, who were treated at a single regional cancer center in Canada. Family histories were obtained, and the men were tested for germ-line mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Seven of these patients had a significant family history of breast cancer (ie, at least one first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer diagnosed before age 70). Two of the men carried BRCA2 mutations, but no BRCA1 mutations were found. Both mutation carriers reported a positive family history and a personal history of cancer that preceded their diagnosis of breast cancer. Our results support the recommendation that male breast cancer patients who have a significant family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be offered genetic counseling and testing.
ISSN:1526-8209
1938-0666
DOI:10.3816/CBC.2000.n.005