Fast Facts

Three (3) things to know about BRCA in men:

  • Having a BRCA mutation increases the chance of cancer
  • There are measures of prevention that can reduce your chance of cancer
  • Resources are available for Men

 

Three (3) things to do if you have a BRCA mutation:

  • Consider the women in your family:
    • Your genetic mutation can be passed to your children.
    • Your siblings or parents may not know they have BRCA.
  • Participate in screening precautions which can prevent cancer.
  • Consider enrolling in a clinical trial.

 

Three (3) lifestyle changes that can prevent cancer:
(The following are American Cancer Society’s recommended guidelines.)

  • Keep your weight within a healthy range.
  • Get 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week
    (or a combination of these).
  • Follow a healthy eating pattern at all ages. A healthy eating pattern includes a variety of fruit,
    vegetables, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and whole grains. Limit or avoid red and processed meat,
    sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed foods. Avoid tobacco products.

FAQ

What is BRCA?

  • BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that are the code to make proteins that help repair damaged DNA.
  • Everyone has two copies of each of these genes—one copy inherited from each parent.
  • Men and women are equally likely to inherit BRCA genes from their parents and pass them on to their children.
  • Damaging variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of several types of cancers including breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
  • Having a BRCA1/2 mutation does not always lead to cancer but can give someone important information about cancer risk. This information can enable people and their doctors to be proactive for their health.

Who should get tested for BRCA?

You should receive genetic testing if you have a personal or family history of cancer:

 

Personal History of Cancer:

  • Gleason 8-10 (or, WHO Grade Group 4-5), involving lymph nodes, or that is metastatic (spread outside the prostate)
  • pancreas cancer
  • male breast cancer

 

Family History of Cancer:

  • family member with a BRCA1/2 mutation
  • family history of any male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer
  • close blood relatives with any of the following: breast cancer diagnosed at age younger than 50 years, a subtype of breast cancer called “triple negative”, pancreatic cancer or ovarian cancer
  • family history of pancreas cancer in a first degree relative
  • family is of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
  • Other cancers in the family may also be important and can guide testing for BRCA. Gather the best information you can and share it with your medical team.

How do individuals get tested for BRCA?

What can men with BRCA do to be proactive?

According to a collection of medical societies and panels, the following screening should take place:

 

Prostate:

  • BRCA2 carriers should be screened with a PSA blood test, starting at age 40-45.

 

Pancreas:

  • Eligible carriers of BRCA1/2 should consider screening starting at age 50, or 10 years before the earliest known pancreas cancer in the family.
  • A contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI and/or endoscopic ultrasound as screening modalities are recommended.

 

Male Breast Cancer:

  • It is recommended that male carriers of BRCA2 start screening at age 50, or 10 years before the earliest known breast cancer in the family.
  • Annual mammograms are recommended.
  • Learn about male breast cancer symptoms and signs, be aware of and monitor breast tissue for changes, and report any changes or abnormalities to a doctor.

Additional screenings may be advised based on a person’s family history of cancer.

What actions can men with BRCA take to protect their health?

  • Consult with your doctor or a genetic counselor who can help assess your individual risk and recommend next steps.
  • Share information with family members (your children, siblings, and parents) about your BRCA genetic mutation so they can get tested for BRCA and make informed decisions about cancer screening and prevention. It is typically advised to wait until children are 18y or older to get genetic testing so they can choose when and how they receive this information.
  • Consider tailored cancer screening, typically starting at age 40y for males.
  • Consider enrolling in a clinical trial. For example, there are clinical trials to help screen for, and find, cancer earlier. Other clinical trials are designed to test treatments for cancer that researchers hope may be even more effective than the current best treatments. Other clinical trials are just learning about patients’ experiences and treatment outcomes. Ask your doctor if you are interested. You can also visit clinicaltrials.gov to see a list of open trials.
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