What men should know
The short version. Your doctor or a genetic counselor can tell you what applies to you.
Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Some people inherit a change in one of them that makes certain cancers more likely. Men inherit these changes just as often as women do, but men get tested far less often.
If you have a BRCA mutation, each of your kids has a 50% chance of having it too.[1]National Cancer Institute, BRCA Gene Mutations fact sheetThat goes for sons and daughters.
Prostate
The biggest one for men, especially with BRCA2, where lifetime risk runs as high as 60% compared to about 14% for men without the mutation.[2]Prostate Cancer Risks for Male BRCA1/BRCA2 Carriers, prospective cohort study (PMC)Screening with a PSA blood test often starts around age 40 for carriers.[3]NCCN Guidelines Insights 2026: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment
Breast
Men have breast tissue too. BRCA2 carriers face a 5 to 10% lifetime risk of breast cancer, and BRCA1 carriers up to about 5%, versus roughly 0.1% for men without the mutation.[4]Breastcancer.org: Men With BRCA Mutations Have Much Higher Risk of CancerGuidelines suggest a yearly exam starting around 35.[5]Basser Center for BRCA: BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Men fact sheet
Pancreas
BRCA2 carriers face a 5 to 10% lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer, and BRCA1 carriers up to about 5%, compared to about 1.7% generally.[1]National Cancer Institute, BRCA Gene Mutations fact sheetScreening is often considered starting around 50, or 10 years before the youngest diagnosis in your family, even with no family history.[6]FORCE: Pancreatic Cancer Screening Guidelines
Skin
BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers may have a modestly higher risk of melanoma, though the research here is still limited.[7]Systematic review and meta-analysis: melanoma risk among BRCA1/BRCA2 carriersRegular skin checks are worth bringing up with your doctor.
Haven't been tested? If a relative has tested positive, or breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancer runs in your family, ask your doctor about genetic testing.
This page is general information, not medical advice.
- [1] National Cancer Institute, BRCA Gene Mutations fact sheet
- [2] Prostate Cancer Risks for Male BRCA1/BRCA2 Carriers, prospective cohort study (PMC)
- [3] NCCN Guidelines Insights 2026: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment
- [4] Breastcancer.org: Men With BRCA Mutations Have Much Higher Risk of Cancer
- [5] Basser Center for BRCA: BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Men fact sheet
- [6] FORCE: Pancreatic Cancer Screening Guidelines
- [7] Systematic review and meta-analysis: melanoma risk among BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers