In 1990, researchers discovered a gene directly related to hereditary breast cancer, named Breast Cancer 1 gene, abbreviated as BRCA1. In 1994, another gene related to breast cancer, called BRCA2, was discovered. In fact, BRCA1/2 are two genes with the ability to inhibit the development of malignant tumors, and play an important role in regulating the replication of human cells, the repair of DNA damage of genetic material, and the normal growth of cells. repair, and normal cell growth. Families with mutations in this gene tend to have a high incidence of breast cancer, usually at a young age, in patients with cancer in both breasts and with ovarian cancer. Impact If the structure of the BRCA1/2 gene is altered in some way, its function as a tumor suppressor can be affected. hundreds of BRCA1/2 mutations have been identified in 2013. Lifetime risks for cancers associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have been summarized, showing that those with BRCA1 mutations have a 50% to 85% and 15% to 45% risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, respectively, and those with BRCA2 mutations have a 50% to 85% and 10% to 20% risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, respectively. Tests are needed if there is a family history of multiple breast cancers at a young age, if there is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, if the same woman develops both breast and ovarian cancers at the same time, if there is cancer in both breasts, if the woman is of German-Jewish descent, or if there is a family history of breast cancer in a man.