BRCA (BREAST CANCER GENE) AND BREAST CANCER IN MEN - ONLY THE FACTS

1. 1% of breast cancers are found in men (20,000 – 25,000 Canadian women, 200 men annually),


2. The incidence of male breast cancer is increasing,


3. Diagnosis of male breast cancer is often made late and contributes to poorer outcomes than in women,


4. The lifestyle and exposure risk factors for breast cancer in women also apply to men,


5. BRCA mutations account for 10% of breast cancers in both men and women,


6. BRCA 2 mutation is also associated with prostate and pancreatic cancer as well as melanoma,


7. Men with strong family histories of breast cancer should also seek BRCA testing. This history includes:
   1. multiple close family members, especially in other men,
   2. female relative with breast cancer prior to age 35
   3. bilateral breast cancer
   4. ovarian cancer at any age


8. BRCA positive men also require breast cancer screening with regular medical examination and mammography, ultrasound or MRI.