What is Brca1?

A dear friend of mine asked me the other day, “What is Brca1?" I will do my best to explain but keep in mind I am not a specialist in this field so if anyone wants to add or correct any information-please do. I’ll do my best.

Brca stands for Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene (1) and (2).  Brca1 and Brca2 are human genes that we all have that belong to a class known as tumor suppressors. Ok- stay with me. :)  It’s a “care taker” gene that produces a protein in the cells of breast and other tissues that repairs damaged DNA or destroys the cells if they cannot be repaired.  It helps to prevent uncontrolled cell growth.  If the BRCA gene is mutated or altered, damaged DNA is not repaired or destroyed which increases the risk of cancer.  This “type” of cancer is called Heredity Cancer - being that it is caused by a gene change carried down from parent to child.

 Everyone has two copies of each gene, one from your mother and one from your father.  The Brca mutated gene is inherited from either the mother or Father’s side leaving one good one and one mutated.  The mutation does not mean you will get cancer but GREATLY increases the odds.  It also does not affect every kind of cancer but primarily breast, fallopian tubes, ovaries and prostate in men. There are other cancers it affects on a smaller scale.  If interested you can read more about this gene in detail from the link I have attached.

With out going into greater detail and confusing myself, and probably others, I will leave it as is. With knowledge comes responsibility. Next I will share what my plans are and how I’m dealing with all this knowledge and emotion brewing in my head.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA