In the context of gynecology, the mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are significant because they dramatically elevate the risk of ovarian cancer, which is often diagnosed at a later stage due to its nonspecific symptoms. Women with a BRCA1 mutation have a lifetime ovarian cancer risk of 39-46%, while those with a BRCA2 mutation have a 10-27% risk. Additionally, these mutations can also impact decisions regarding screening and prevention strategies for gynecologic cancers.
