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This week is Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week. The Basser Center for BRCA Research is learning new ways to improve options for those with BRCA gene mutations that can elevate risk for ovarian and breast cancer. 

Join Penn Medicine on October 8 to celebrate the $25 million gift from Mindy and Jon Gray that established the Basser Research Center for BRCA.

What are BRCA1 and BRCA2?

BRCA1 and BRCA2 stand for breast cancer 1 and breast cancer 2 genes. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are present in all individuals. Everyone has two copies of each of these genes - one from each parent.

A gene mutation is like a spelling error in the genetic code of a gene. Those who have a gene mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA 2 gene are at higher than average risk for developing certain cancers.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for the repair of certain types of DNA errors that may occur each time a human cell makes a copy of itself. Without a gene mutation, functional BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help ensure the stability of cell's genetic material, or DNA, and help prevent uncontrolled cell growth.

Having an inherited gene mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 does not mean a person is guaranteed to develop cancer, but the chances are significantly higher than for someone who does not have a gene mutation.

Women and men who choose to learn if they have a gene mutation may make other health care decisions based on that knowledge. For example, someone with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation may choose specialized follow-up care that may dramatically decrease their chances of developing certain cancers.

About the Basser Research Center for BRCA and BRCA

A $25 million gift to the University of Pennsylvania from alumni Mindy and Jon Gray has established The Basser Research Center for BRCA, a center focused solely on the prevention and treatment of cancers that are associated with heritable BRCA mutations.

The Basser Research Center for BRCA is part of Penn's Abramson Cancer Center. Basser physicians and researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the center support research on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, mutated forms of which are associated with greatly increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer development. The center is named in honor of Mindy Gray's family, the Bassers.

The goal is to learn from today's patients to decrease risk among BRCA carriers and to impact care for generations of cancer patients to come.

The Basser Research Center infuses powerful resources to support cancer care and research at every stage of the cancer diagnosis:

• Communication
• Outreach & Risk Assessment
• Prevention
• Early Detection
• Treatment
• Survivorship

Celebrate With Penn Medicine

This celebration is open to the public, and registration is encouraged.

The event will include welcoming remarks from University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann, and Penn Medicine leadership, videos about the center, and a celebratory reception.

Whether you are a donor, friend of the Abramson Cancer Center, faculty, BRCA carrier, or are at risk for the BRCA mutation, please join us for this evening's event.

Date: October 8, 2012
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm ET
Location: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
Register: www.pennmedicine.org/basserphila

Learn more about the Basser Research Center for BRCA.