BRCA
BRCA refers to two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The name comes from the words ‘BReast CAncer’ as they were first discovered in relation to this. Mutations in these genes cause an increased risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and melanoma cancers. Although BRCA1 and BRCA2 are often referenced together, they are separate genes. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 cause slightly different risks for different cancers.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells of the body grow uncontrollably, invading and destroying healthy tissue. Cancer can start in almost any part of the body. The cancerous cells may spread to other parts of the body too. Most cancers form a cancerous mass called a tumour, but cancers of the blood do not do this.
Cancer Predisposition Gene
Type of gene that when mutated causes an individual to have an increased risk for one or more cancer types.
Cancer risk
The likelihood that someone will develop cancer. This risk is impacted by age, gender, environmental factors, lifestyle factors and genetic factors.
Cancer screening and surveillance
Testing of asymptomatic individuals for indicators of cancer. The goal is to catch cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat and then prognosis is likely to be better.
Chemoprevention
The use of drugs to prevent cancer
Dominant inheritance
Dominant inheritance means that a person only needs to inherit one copy of a mutated gene from either parent to have an increased risk of developing a condition, such as hereditary cancer.
Gene
A short section of DNA, found on chromosomes, containing the instructions for our cells to make a specific protein. Each protein carries out a specific function in our cells. We have approximately 20,000 genes, each encoding the instructions for a specific protein. Genes are passed from parent to offspring.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is a medical test that looks for changes, often called mutations, in your genes. They test is done via blood or saliva sample.
Hereditary Cancer
Hereditary (or inherited) cancers are ones that are linked to a gene mutation that can be passed from one generation to the next; mothers and fathers can pass these mutations to sons and daughters.
Inherited cancer predisposition
A person has an inherited cancer predisposition when they have an increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population, due to inheriting (from either parent) a mutation on a cancer predisposition gene.
Mutation
A change in a gene that either impairs or stops that gene’s ability to function.
Previvors
A previvor is someone who has in inherited cancer predisposition and has not developed cancer.
Prognosis
Prognosis means the likely outcome of a person’s illness.
Prophylactic surgery
Preventative surgery done to minimise or prevent the risk of the development of cancer. It is carried out when an individual is unaffected but has a significantly increased risk of the disease developing. For example, women at increased risk for breast cancer may be offered a prophylactic mastectomy (removal of breast tissue).
Risk Management
Use of risk reducing strategies and interventions. In relation to cancer risk, this refers to medical interventions such as screening, surgery, or medication that is shown to decrease the risk of developing cancer.