BRCA
noun
ˌbē-(ˌ)är-(ˌ)sē-ˈā 
ˈbra-kə
: either of two tumor suppressor genes that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers
—often used before another noun
BRCA genes
a BRCA mutation
Examples of BRCA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plenty of existing companies, like 23andMe, already screen for BRCA variants.
—
Jason Kehe, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
Miller was keen to convey to viewers that the BRCA gene isn’t restricted to women, and that men should also be genetically tested for the BRCA gene and possible mutations.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2023
Such testing could reveal additional genetic factors, other than BRCA, that might be contributing to a higher risk of breast cancer.
—TIME, 14 Mar. 2024
On Wednesday, Olivia Munn revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy last year, just two months after testing negative for the BRCA gene.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
But though breast cancer is associated with women, the BRCA genes are inherited from both biological parents.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 17 July 2023
But having dense breast tissue alone doesn’t clear this benchmark in the absence of other compounding risk factors, such as BRCA gene mutations, or direct family history of breast cancer.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 23 Jan. 2024
Her project involves studying how non-cancerous tissues taken from patients with a BRCA mutation respond to certain cancer-treatment drugs.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2023
Her cancer had gone undetected until BRCA gene testing prompted doctors to do more extensive scans.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023
Jason Kehe, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
Miller was keen to convey to viewers that the BRCA gene isn’t restricted to women, and that men should also be genetically tested for the BRCA gene and possible mutations.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2023
Such testing could reveal additional genetic factors, other than BRCA, that might be contributing to a higher risk of breast cancer.
—TIME, 14 Mar. 2024
On Wednesday, Olivia Munn revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy last year, just two months after testing negative for the BRCA gene.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
But though breast cancer is associated with women, the BRCA genes are inherited from both biological parents.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 17 July 2023
But having dense breast tissue alone doesn’t clear this benchmark in the absence of other compounding risk factors, such as BRCA gene mutations, or direct family history of breast cancer.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 23 Jan. 2024
Her project involves studying how non-cancerous tissues taken from patients with a BRCA mutation respond to certain cancer-treatment drugs.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2023
Her cancer had gone undetected until BRCA gene testing prompted doctors to do more extensive scans.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'BRCA.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near BRCA
Cite this Entry
“BRCA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/BRCA. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
BRCA
noun
: either of two tumor suppressor genes that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers
—often used before another noun
BRCA genes
a BRCA mutation
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