[Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: primary and secondary prevention for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers]

Abstract

Ten years after the identification of the breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, an emerging literature has explored the efficacy of strategies for primary as well as secondary prevention of breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations carriers. The integration of magnetic resonance imaging for breast cancer screening in BRCA carriers has achieved a higher sensibility of the screening, and an early detection of breast cancer. However, we don't have yet enough level of evidence that magnetic resonance imaging could reduce mortality in BRCA carriers. Because of the limitations of screening for ovarian cancer, bilateral prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy has been established as one of the most effective strategies to prevent ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. This strategy also has a favorable effect on the reduction of risk of breast cancer if is performed before the age of 50. The management of this patients must be individualized and multidisciplinary.