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)

Example Sentences

In short, Myriad isolated the BRCA genes—snipped them out of the longer DNA chain in which they were ensconced.

From The Daily Beast

Myriad could charge whatever price it wanted for the BRCA tests, and kept prices higher by several thousand dollars.

From The Daily Beast

"There is a strong interest in treating BRCA-2 mutant cancers with these agents," Dr. Hruban wrote in an email to me.

From The Daily Beast