BRCA stands for BReast CAncer gene and everyone is born with two copies—BRCA1 and BRCA2—inherited from each parent. The purpose of BRCA is to repair damaged DNA but a change or mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene increases the risk of certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. Male breast cancer is also at greater risk for men with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Other cancers linked to a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 include pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute puts the risk for female breast cancer for those with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene at 60%. Those with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 also tend to develop cancer at a younger age than those who do not have such a mutation. 

If you believe you may have inherited a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2, you may want to seek genetic
counseling to determine if you should have additional testing.