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

What is the predominant cancer risk associated with BRCA 1 mutations?

1. Ovarian cancer at 60%

2. Male breast cancer at 1%

3. Female breast cancer at 60%

4. Thyroid cancer at 20%

The correct answer is: Female breast cancer at 60%

BRCA1 mutations are significantly associated with an elevated risk of female breast cancer, with estimates suggesting that approximately 60% of women with a BRCA1 mutation will develop breast cancer by the age of 70. This high percentage underscores the critical role of BRCA1 in maintaining genomic stability and its relationship with breast carcinogenesis. The gene is involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, and when mutated, it leads to the accumulation of genetic aberrations that can result in cancer. The other options present lower or different cancer risks that do not correlate as strongly with BRCA1 mutations. For instance, while male breast cancer can occur in individuals with BRCA1 mutations, it is significantly less prevalent compared to female breast cancer and does not reach the same levels of risk associated with BRCA-related female breast cancer. Ovarian cancer is also a notable risk for BRCA1 mutation carriers, but the percentage mentioned in the choice is typically lower than the breast cancer risk. Thyroid cancer is generally not linked to BRCA1 mutations and the stated percentage does not reflect established data regarding BRCA1-related cancer risks. Thus, female breast cancer stands out as the predominant and most well-documented risk associated with BRCA1 mutations.