BRCA1 gene
(... jeen)
A gene that makes a protein that repairs damaged DNA. Mutations (changes) in the BRCA1 gene significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. These mutations can also increase the risk of developing other types of cancer, such as prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. The BRCA1 gene is located on chromosome 17, which is 1 of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in human cells.