BRCA

¹

noun

1. either of two genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 that, if inherited in a mutated form, may predispose some carriers to develop breast or ovarian cancer.

B.R.C.A.

²

abbreviation for

1. Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.

BRCA

/ bē′är′sē′ā′ /

1. One of two genes (designated BRCA1 and BRCA2) that help repair damage to DNA, but when inherited in a defective state increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of BRCA¹

1900–95; initialism from br(east) and ca(ncer)