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Other patterns of cancer that can be found in families with breast cancer

More than three-quarters, or over 75%, of families with a strong family history of breast cancer will have changes or mutations in one of the breast cancer genes (known as BRCA1 and BRCA2).
As well as giving an increased risk of breast cancer these mutations can give an increased risk of other cancers.

  • Ovarian and prostate cancer are most frequently associated with breast cancer.
    Ovarian cancer is the most common other type of cancer that is found in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer.


  • Prostate cancer is the most common other type of cancer that is found in men who have a strong family history of breast cancer.


  • Very rarely other types of cancer occur more than would be expected in the general population, in families where there is a history of breast cancer. Examples of the types of cancers that may occur are given below. However the risk of developing these cancers if you have a family history of breast cancer is very low.

BRCA1

If you have a mutation in BRCA1 then you may be at a very slightly increased risk of cancer of the liver, cervix (women), uterus (women), pancreas, colon or prostate (for men).

BRCA2

If you have a mutation in BRCA2 then as well as the increased risk of early onset prostate cancer (in men) you may be at a very slightly increased risk of cancer of the gall bladder or bile duct, pancreas or stomach.

Other Genes


If you have any concerns about your family history of cancer you should talk
to your GP.
In a very small number of cases hereditary breast cancer is one symptom of another hereditary disease within a family. These diseases are very rare, but when they do occur give a greatly increased risk of developing breast cancer.


  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome can be caused by mutations in a gene called TP53 (Tumour suppressor protein 53). It is associated with: breast cancers, soft tissue and bone sarcomas, primary brain tumours, leukaemia and adrenocortical carcinomas.


  • Cowden syndrome is mostly caused by mutations in a gene called PTEN. It is associated with a number of symptoms including: multiple tumour-like growths (called hamartomas) and an increased risk of breast, thyroid and possibly other cancers.


  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. This is caused by mutations in a gene called STK11 (confusingly also known as LKB1). It often causes small, dark-colored spots on the lips, around and inside the mouth, and near the eyes and nostrils and is associated with a high risk of developing cancers of the breast, colon, pancreas, stomach, and ovary.


  • Ataxia-Telangiectasia. This is caused by mutations in a gene called ATM and is associated with difficulty in coordinating movements (ataxia) and prominent groups of red blood vessels (telangiectases). Children with ataxia-telangiectasia often have multiple lung infections and are at an increased risk of developing leukaemia and lymphoma. Those who survive into adulthood are at increased risk of breast cancer, stomach cancer and heart disease.

If you have any concerns about your family history of cancer you should talk to your GP.

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