Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer worldwide and the most common cancer in women. In 2022, there were 2,296,840 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally, and 670,000 associated deaths were recorded. Breast cancer usually occurs in women at any age after puberty but commonly later in life. About 13% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer by the year 2035. Fifty-five (55) to 72% of women with a mutation in Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA 1) - a gene responsible for DNA repair as well as a tumour suppressor - have a likelihood of 45-85% of developing breast cancer in their lifetime and are often linked with triple negative breast cancer. About 45-69% of women with BRCA 2 will develop breast cancer by 70-80yrs. BRCA gene mutations are inherited, are passed on from parents to their children and can run in families.
