Abstract
A number of genes are known to be involved in inherited susceptibility to breast and/or ovarian cancer. In the context of high-risk families the most important genes are BRCA1 on chromosome 17q, which is associated with a high penetrance of both breast and ovarian cancer, and BRCA2 on chromosome 13q, which causes a high risk of breast cancer but a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Other high-risk cancer genes that confer increased risks of breast or ovarian cancer in addition to other cancers include the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer genes and the TP53 gene, which causes breast cancer as part of the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. The predisposing mutations in these genes are relatively rare in the population. More common genes which are associated with an increased, but lower, risk of breast cancer are the ataxiatelangiectasia gene and the HRAS1 gene. This paper reviews recent progress in mapping and cloning of these susceptibility genes, and provides estimates of the cancer risks associated with each gene and the frequency of predisposing mutations.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ford, D., Easton, D. The genetics of breast and ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer 72, 805–812 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.417
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.417
This article is cited by
-
Characterization of immortalized ovarian epithelial cells with BRCA1/2 mutation
Human Cell (2024)
-
Associations of the COVID-19 burden and various comorbidities of different ethnic groups in Israel: a cross-sectional study
Clinical and Experimental Medicine (2023)
-
The Impact of BRCA1- and BRCA2 Mutations on Ovarian Reserve Status
Reproductive Sciences (2023)
-
The Role of Knowledge on Genetic Counseling and Testing in Black Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk of Carrying a BRCA1/2 Mutation
Journal of Genetic Counseling (2017)
-
Living With Genetic Vulnerability: a Life Course Perspective
Journal of Genetic Counseling (2016)