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Living with Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome

An inherited condition that raises the chance of breast and ovarian cancer.

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Understanding Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome

Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome is a genetic condition that raises the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both.

It can be identified through family history or by finding a harmful gene change in a recognized gene. GARD notes that about half of cases cannot yet be explained by a single gene, and about half of people with a harmful gene change do not have a suggestive family history. It affects adults and older adults.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian tumor
  • Primary peritoneal cancer
  • Changes in the fallopian tubes

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, genetic specialists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Cancer specialists (oncologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Would genetic counseling and testing be right for me?
What screening should I have, and how often?
Which relatives should be told about a gene change?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult and as an Older Adult
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of the gene is enough to raise risk.

GeneticUrinary and Reproductive

Also known as: brca1- and brca2-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer; brca1- and brca2-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (hboc); breast and ovarian cancer; familial breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; familial breast/ovarian cancer (brca1, brca2); hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndromeGARD ID 15010 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome.

Explore the Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome blog
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Embrace the Ask: How to Seek The Support You Need

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Explore research for Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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