BRCA1 / BRCA2
Other names: BRCA1, BRCA2, germline BRCA, somatic BRCA
BRCA1 or BRCA2 changes can be inherited or limited to the tumour, and affect treatment discussion as well as family risk.

Not a diagnosis and not final medical advice. Must be reviewed by a doctor.
Plain explanation
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that play a role in repairing DNA damage. If one of them changes, DNA damage is more difficult to repair and cells can grow uncontrollably.
Clinical meaning
BRCA alteration opens up a category of therapies that exploit DNA repair weaknesses in some breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Screening is also important to assess risk to the family, which requires genetic counseling.
Testing methods
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
A test that reads many genes from one tumour sample to find actionable changes.
- Tumour tissue biopsy
Collection of tumour tissue to confirm the diagnosis and provide material for further testing.
A negative result does not always mean the marker is absent
Test sensitivity differs by sample type and method. Results need to be read together with the pathology report and clinical condition.
What needs verification
- Are the changes found in inherited genes (germline) or only in the tumor (somatic).
- Has genetic counseling been carried out before congenital examination?
- Does the report mention specific variants and their classifications.
Related drugs
- Olaparib
PARP inhibitors
A link here means the marker is often part of considering a drug category, not a recommendation to use it.
Clinical trials
Studies mentioning this marker
Filtered from public study descriptions. Access status and site readiness remain unverified.
NO DATA
No studies in the latest registry data mention this marker in their description.
Check options based on your result
Share the BRCA1 / BRCA2 result you have so we can explain which categories to discuss with a doctor.
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Clinical data is not requested in the form and is not sent to analytics. Do not send medical reports through WhatsApp or email; use the secure upload page. We do not promise eligibility or any treatment outcome.
Next steps
These suggestions come from links between entries in TanyaKanker's database, not from a medical judgement. Each suggestion includes why it appears.
Next to learn
- Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer type
Reason: Related through a biomarker
- Breast Cancer
Cancer type
Reason: Related through a biomarker
- Breast cancer progression after HER2 therapy
Decision situation
Reason: Related through a biomarker
- Pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant
Molecular alteration
Reason: Related through a biomarker
- Targeted therapy
Treatment category
Reason: Related through a biomarker
- Olaparib
Drug
Reason: Targets this marker
To check
- Tumour tissue biopsy
Diagnostic test
Reason: Diperiksa melalui
- Image-guided breast biopsy
Diagnostic test
Reason: Diperiksa melalui
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
Diagnostic test
Reason: Diperiksa melalui
- Check medical report completeness
Tool
Reason: Prepare documents that still need confirmation
- Prepare questions for your doctor
Tool
Reason: Bring clear questions to the next conversation
What you can do
- Upload medical reports
Build a case summary in twelve steps
Reason: Often the most useful next step after reading this page
- Request a second opinion
Review of the treatment plan
Reason: Relevant when a treatment plan is being considered
- Consult a navigator
A request is recorded with this page context
Reason: For asking the next step directly
Recently updated
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Date: Registry update in the last 30 days (2026-10-15)
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