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

Which demographic characteristic is closely associated with the presence of BRCA mutations?

1. Older age in females

2. Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

3. Low body mass index

4. Nulliparity

The correct answer is: Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

The presence of BRCA mutations is significantly associated with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Individuals carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations often come from families where these types of cancers are more prevalent, indicating a genetic predisposition. Therefore, having a family history serves as a critical factor that can alert healthcare providers to the possibility of these mutations, guiding further evaluation and management. While other demographic characteristics like older age, low body mass index, and nulliparity can influence cancer risk in general, they do not have the same strong, direct correlation with BRCA mutations as family history does. Older age might be associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer overall, but it does not specifically correlate with carrying a BRCA mutation. Low body mass index and nulliparity might relate to other factors in cancer risk profiles, but they do not represent a direct link to BRCA mutations in the same manner that family history does.