An Overview on Radiation Sensitivity in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is a condition in which individuals have an increased risk of developing different types of cancer when compared to the general population. BRCA1 repair associated (BRCA1) and BRCA2 repair associated (BRCA2) genes are tumor suppressor genes that play a crucial role in cell, by repairing DNA damage. Mutations in these genes are responsible for 25% of HBOC cases. Individuals with this syndrome are often subjected to diagnostic imaging techniques, as well as therapeutic options, that use ionizing radiation, so it is crucial to understand whether these individuals may present higher radiosensitivity and, therefore, its consequences. Several studies have been carried out to understand if the exposure to different ionizing radiation doses can induce cancer in individuals with HBOC. Some of these studies have shown that individuals with HBOC are hypersensitive to the ionizing radiation and, therefore, have neoplasms resulting from mutations in genes that are important in maintaining genomic stability. When mutated, genes no longer guarantee this stability and promote the induction of carcinogenesis. Oppositely, other studies show that there is no association between exposure to ionizing radiation and an increased risk of developing cancer. Thus, the results are inconsistent, and there is a great need to clarify this relationship. In this review, we present the characteristics of HBOC syndrome and the effects that ionizing radiation can induce in individuals who have it. In addition, we review the studies that have already been carried out on this subject.