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• BRCA
  BRCA

  noun

  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.
  B.R.C.A.

  abbreviation

  Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.

BRCA

¹ American  

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.

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B.R.C.A. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.

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BRCA Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of BRCA

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

Example Sentences

She said she tested negative for all of them, including BRCA, the most well-known breast cancer gene.

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2024

Dr. Hulick said the risk of developing breast cancer was 40 percent to 60 percent greater among women with the PALB2 mutation, similar to the risk from BRCA.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2021

He said scientific research has not been hindered by the biotechnology company's patents, citing 18,000 scientists who have published 10,000 papers on BRCA.

From Reuters • Apr. 14, 2013

"I think we could have moved a lot faster if the country's scientific brainpower could have analyzed patients' BRCA" rather than rely on Myriad, said Chung.

From Reuters • Apr. 14, 2013