GREATER BRCA genetic testing among men has been highlighted as a critical need in a recently published review. Despite a heightened risk of breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers in males with BRCA mutations, testing rates remain strikingly low. Kara N. Maxwell, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, emphasized that increased genetic testing could revolutionize cancer detection and treatment for patients.
Men with BRCA mutations face significantly higher risks: up to 60% for prostate cancer and nearly 8% for pancreatic cancer, much higher than the general population. While these genetic risks are well-known in females for breast and ovarian cancers, testing remains predominantly focused on them. Maxwell’s review found that BRCA testing rates among males are 85% to 90% lower compared to females, despite men comprising half BRCA mutation carriers.
“Oncologists and primary care providers play a pivotal role in changing this dynamic,” Maxwell said. She advocated for proactive testing in men with a personal or family history of breast, prostate, or pancreatic cancers, or those with a family member known to carry a BRCA mutation.
Additionally, increased awareness and routine questioning about family cancer history could significantly reduce hereditary cancer deaths. The impact of discovering a BRCA mutation in one family member ripples across generations, potentially saving multiple lives by enabling earlier interventions.
Maxwell calls for an 80% testing rate among male patients with cancers linked to BRCA mutations, emphasizing that while 100% would be ideal, even modest increases could save lives. By adopting comprehensive BRCA testing for men, physicians can help mitigate the devastating effects of hereditary cancers across families.
Reference: Cheng HH et al. BRCA1, BRCA2, and associated cancer risks and management for male patients. JAMA Oncol. 2024;10(9):1272-1281.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
