The quiet belief that can follow us from childhood into adulthood

When we talk about BRCA today, genetic testing can sound almost routine, but the journey to understanding these genes has been remarkable. In this article, I look back at how BRCA1 and BRCA2 were discovered, how genetic testing has developed from those early breakthroughs to the testing available today, and what we now understand about inherited cancer risk. I also explore the statistics for women who inherit a BRCA mutation, including the increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, and the implications for men, including male breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Behind every percentage is a person and a family, which is why understanding our genetic risk, and how far the science has come matters so much.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I've got my mum's eyes" or "I'm turning into my dad"?