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Cancer research

Annual Prostate Cancer Screening Recommended for Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Experts at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, are urging men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations to undergo annual prostate cancer screening, citing evidence that targeted PSA testing can pick up more aggressive cancers at a younger age. The recommendation comes after five years of data from the international IMPACT study, which found that men with BRCA2 mutations are at a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer and should be offered annual PSA testing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations should be offered annual prostate cancer screening through PSA testing, starting from age 40.
  • The risk of prostate cancer is more than doubled in men with BRCA2 mutations, from 1.4% to 3.1%, with an average age of diagnosis of 60 compared to 65 for non-carriers.
  • Men with the BRCA1 gene fault are more than three times as likely to have aggressive prostate cancers that are likely to grow and spread quickly, compared to non-carriers.
  • The IMPACT study, funded by Cancer Research UK, Cure BRCA, The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, assessed the potential benefits of PSA testing in men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations across 65 centres in 20 countries.
  • The researchers are calling for an update to current guidance to include annual PSA testing for men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, and for targeted screening programs to be implemented for this high-risk group.
  • Analysis of the IMPACT study will continue to assess the long-term impact of screening on prostate cancer outcomes.
  • The study has the potential to detect cancers earlier, when treatment is more effective, and give men greater control over their health and improve timely diagnosis.

Statistics:

  • The risk of prostate cancer in men with BRCA2 mutations is more than doubled, from 1.4% to 3.1%.
  • The average age of diagnosis for prostate cancer is 60 for carriers of the BRCA2 mutation and 65 for non-carriers.
  • Men with the BRCA1 gene fault are more than three times as likely to have aggressive prostate cancers compared to non-carriers.
  • The IMPACT study involves 65 centres in 20 different countries.

Sources:

  • Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Cure BRCA
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
  • The Ronald and Rita McAulay Foundation
  • European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025

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