How BRCA mutations affect your risk for other cancers.

BRCA+ and Pancreatic Cancer

Being BRCA+ increases your risk for pancreatic cancer. For patients with mutations in the BRCA1 gene, the risk can be as high as 5%, versus just 1.7% for the overall population. The risk increases even more for those with mutations in the BRCA2 gene, between 5% and 10%.

Did you know? Just 5-10% of breast cancer and ovarian cancer cases are attributed to a known mutation.

Signs and symptoms to look for

According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreatic cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. When they happen, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:

Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice
Light-colored or floating stool
Dark-colored urine
Itching
New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control
Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot
Tiredness or weakness

Tests your doctor may recommend

There are no standard screenings for pancreatic cancer as there are for breast cancer. But doctors often recommend these tests for high-risk patients:

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This is a special type of MRI imaging that examines the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile duct and pancreatic duct. Before the imaging, you’ll be given an injection of contrast agent, which makes abnormalities easier for your doctor to find.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): In this outpatient procedure, which is performed under anesthesia, a tiny ultrasound probe is passed down the esophagus to the stomach to examine the pancreas.

Early detection of pancreatic cancer increases the likelihood that the cancer can be surgically removed, which is the most effective treatment. Patients with pancreatic cancer usually do not experience symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage.

SOURCE: Penn Medicine, 2025 | FORCE

BRCA+ and Melanoma

A 2024 study examined the skin cancer risk of over 6,000 women who were BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive, and found that they had a slightly elevated risk of melanoma (a form of malignant skin cancer), though their risk of non-melanoma skin cancer was about the same as the general population. While the increase in risk is much lower than for some other cancers, it’s a good idea to take extra precautions to help prevent this more serious form of skin cancer.

Melanoma Prevention Tips

Get a routine skin examination. Your dermatologist or primary care provider can check your skin for signs of melanoma. Speak with your doctor to confirm the correct frequency you should come back for check-ups.

Watch for these signs. See a dermatologist if you notice:

New moles, especially large ones
Moles that change shape over time
Moles with an uneven shape (normal moles are round)
Moles with a mix of colors
Moles that are swollen, sore, bleeding, itchy, or crusty

Protect yourself from the sun

Limit time in the midday sun. Ultraviolet rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM
Cover up! Keep your arms and legs covered and wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
Use sunscreen. Choose sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (the higher the better) and reapply it regularly

SOURCE: American Cancer Society, 2023

BRCA+ and Prostate Cancer

For BRCA+ men, especially those with mutations of the BRCA2 gene, the lifetime risk of prostate cancer is significantly higher than the average male. For men who are BRCA+, the risk of prostate cancer ranges from 25-50%. In contrast, men without BRCA mutations have about a 14% risk of developing prostate cancer.

Additionally, for BRCA2+ men, the disease is often more aggressive and may occur at a younger age. This makes genetic testing even more critical for men who have a family history of BRCA mutations, because more radical treatment may be indicated for prostate cancer patients who are BRCA2 positive.

The risk of prostate cancer is 1 in 8, but it increases if you carry a BRCA mutation (like breast cancer in women).

Proactive Steps to Prevent/Detect Prostate Cancer

Have an annual prostate exam and screening. Because BRCA+ men are at higher risk, they should begin annual exams and screening at about 40 years of age, ten years earlier than the general male population. Your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Know the warning signs of prostate cancer. Watch for these symptoms:

Blood in your urine
Changes in urination, including difficulty urinating, frequent urination, weak urination, or a burning sensation while urinating.
Pelvic pain, which may be a sign of more advanced prostate cancer.

See a doctor for more testing if you experience any of these symptoms.

SOURCE: National Library of Medicine

BRCA+ and Male Breast Cancer

The National Cancer Institute reports that about 0.2-1.2% of men with an inherited harmful change in BRCA1 and 1.8-7.1% with an inherited harmful change in BRCA2 will develop breast cancer by age 70. By contrast, about 0.1% of men in the general population will develop breast cancer by age 70. Given the rarity of breast cancer in men with harmful BRCA changes, their risk of contralateral breast cancer has not been estimated.