American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What percentage of male breast cancer risk is associated with BRCA 1 mutations?

1. 5%

2. 10%

3. 1%

4. 15%

The correct answer is: 1%

BRCA1 mutations are known to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in both males and females, although the risk is markedly lower in males. Research indicates that the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer for men with BRCA1 mutations is about 1%. This is considerably less than the risk for women with BRCA1 mutations, who have a much higher lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. In clinical practice, it's important to understand that while men do have a risk associated with BRCA1 mutations, this risk is relatively small compared to that of women. Therefore, the figure of 1% accurately reflects the risk of breast cancer in male carriers of the BRCA1 mutation. This information is crucial for genetic counseling and risk assessment in families with a history of BRCA-related cancers.