Learn About Gene Mutations @beBRCAware @SheSpeaksUp #beBRCAware

Disclosure:  I received $150 from AstraZeneca, and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/AstraZeneca.

Do you know what BRCA is?  Honestly I had no idea until I began working on this post but as a woman it is something I am glad I now know about.  BRCA is a gene (also known as BRCA1 and BRCA2) that is involved with cell growth, cell division and cell repair.  It is commonly associate with BReast CAncer (notice the BRCA) but 15% of women with ovarian cancer also have the BRCA gene mutations.

Women with epithelial ovarian cancer are encouraged to undergo BRCA testing.  The test is a simple blood or saliva sample test that your physician’s office or local lab can perform and most insurance will cover BRCA testing for women with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  If a woman is found to have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, a physician may choose to manage your ovarian cancer differently.  Remember the saying “Knowledge is power”, well in the case of cancer I feel that any extra information is definitely something beneficial.

Some important BRCA Facts:

Women with BRCA gene mutations have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

In the general population, 1.4 percent4 of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, while up to 40 percent of women with BRCA 1/2 mutations will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime.

An estimated 15% of ovarian cancers are linked to BRCA mutations.

BRCA gene mutations can play a key role in serous ovarian cancer, the most common form of ovarian cancer.

Nearly one half of women with ovarian cancer who are BRCA-positive have no significant family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Do you know a woman diagnosed with or at risk for ovarian cancer?  Or maybe you just want more information for your own reference?  My OC Journey can help you learn more about the diagnosis, prepare for your journey, find support and more.  You can also share support for women battling ovarian cancer by using the hashtag #beBRCAware.