Preventing Hereditary Cancers Associated with BRCA1 or BRCA2 Gene Mutations
Inheritance of a BRCA1/2 defect predicts such high breast cancer risks that prevention has not been widely studied. Hereditary BRCA1/2 gene mutations can cause cancer by impairing protective responses to some carcinogens. BRCA deficiencies probably amplify cancer risks from such opportunistic carcinogens. Some hereditary cancers might be preventable by compensating for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.