Ovarian Cancer
Cancer of ovaries is one of the most common gynecological cancers in United
States and every year roughly 26,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer.
Anywhere from five to ten percent of ovarian cancers are believed to be
hereditary. Aberrations of tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are
responsible for the majority of hereditary ovarian cancer. Other types of
cancers, such as pancreatic, colon, and esophageal have been seen in families
with BRCA2 aberrations.
The key to genetic testing for this cancer is to test the patient first and if
the abnormality is detected, the rest of family should be tested. Individuals
identified through genetic testing to have an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2
mutation can then consider a potentially curative procedure or a close
follow up plan. Women harboring these genes are at higher risk for developing
breast cancer as well. These cancers tend to occur at much earlier age and
be more aggressive in nature.
Women carrying BRCA2 have 20% risk of developing ovarian cancer by age of 85. The risk for BRCA1 is very high, yet very variable.
Cancer Genetic issues