BRCA mutation develop it, doctors often recommend male breast cancer patients undergo a simple blood test to check for those mutations.
“Ten percent is not high in general, but it’s astronomically higher – up to 100 times than for someone who doesn’t have the mutation,” said Dr. Susan Domchek, executive director of the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, the world’s first comprehensive center aimed at advancing research, treatment and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. She’s also part of Knowles’ medical team.
Knowles has elected to have a second mastectomy in January to eliminate any chance of cancer in his left breast. His risks also are elevated for cancers in his prostate, skin, and pancreas. Further testing and monitoring are ongoing.
Meanwhile, research is underway to determine which side of his family the mutation comes from. Relatives from the affected side will get advice about what to do next.
For any women who have the mutation, their risk of breast cancer goes from 12% to