World Breast Cancer Awareness Day takes place on 19 October, with the aim of supporting women who have suffered from breast cancer. It also gives us the opportunity to focus on early detection, and to participate in the fight against the disease.

70% of breast cancers are sporadic (they do not have an underlying hereditary cause). Between 20% and 25% of the cases present with familial aggregation (presence of more cases than would be expected within a family, without any clear cause). Only 5% to 10% of the cases present with a cause (a mutation) that is clearly hereditary.

Women who carry the pathogenic mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have a higher risk (up to 80% higher) than women who do not carry it, although it does not always cause the disease.

BRCA1 (breast cancer 1) and BRCA2 (breast cancer 2) are genes that produce proteins which repair damage in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each person inherits two copies of each of these genes: one from their mother and one from their father. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are sometimes known as tumour suppressor genes because when they undergo specific changes, known as harmful (or pathogenic) variations (or mutations), it is possible that cancer will appear.

At analizA, the BRCA1/2 test can be carried out individually, without a prior appointment. Go to one of our clinics, and request all the information you need by emailing [email protected]