Are there other genetic conditions associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer?
Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA stands for BReast CAncer) gene mutations have an increased risk of prostate cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are most commonly associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome. Men with BRCA1 mutations have a slightly increased risk, while men with BRCA2 mutations have about a 20% risk of developing prostate cancer during their life, usually before age 65. For this reason, men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are encouraged to begin annual prostate cancer screening at age 40. Men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes. A tumor suppressor gene makes proteins that prevent tumor formation by limiting cell growth. Mutations in a tumor suppressor gene causes a loss of the ability to restrict tumor growth and, as a result, cancer can develop. Genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is available. However, mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are thought
