.

• Gender: Just being a woman is the major risk factor, but men get breast cancer too.
• Age: Incidence increases with age.
• Family: Women with first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, have a higher risk of developing the cancer.
• Genetics: About 5% -10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary.
• Personal Health History: Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer a second time.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person's chance of developing cancer. Although breast cancer is more common in women than in men, the mutated gene can be inherited from either the mother or the father. But, not all breast cancers are inherited. These cancers are acquired during a person's lifetime, and they do not cluster in families.

Both male and female have mammary glands. But the difference lies in the fact that, in men, mammary glands are in rudimentary state and are inactive. A lot of familial and sporadic cases of male breast cancers have been reported in the past. Men with mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes have been affected with prostate cancers. In fact, BRCA2 mutations may prove to be a greater cause of cancer in men than had previously been though.

If you are positive for a BRCA mutation, there are several options that include:

• Increased or enhanced screening for cancer
• Proactive (prophylactic) surgery
• Drug therapy (chemoprevention)
• Evaluation of your family members’ risk

It is important to discuss with your Doctor for better understanding.

Genes2Me breast cancer panel screens of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which helps in identifying the clinically relevant or pathogenic mutations. Screening is performed on a high end platform of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique.