ATM Mutations: Cancer Risks
Cancer Risks Associated with Inherited Mutations
People with an mutation have a higher risk for several types of cancer. These cancers tend to happen at a younger age than in people without a mutation.
The risks listed below are estimates based on different research studies. To understand more about your personal risk, we recommend that you speak with a genetics expert who can look at your personal and family history of cancer and help you decide on a plan for managing your risk.
Note that when we use "men" and "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.
Participate in Research
Cancer risk table
Cancer Type |
Lifetime Risk with an ATM Mutation |
Lifetime Risk for General Population |
Notes |
21 - 24% |
12.5% |
People with a common ATM mutation known as c.7271T>G variant may have a higher risk for breast cancer than people with other variants. |
|
Risk for 2nd breast cancer diagnosis in women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer |
4% risk within 10 years of initial diagnosis |
More research is needed to confirm this risk. This applies to women who have not had bilateral mastectomy. |
|
5 - 10% |
1.7% |
||
2 - 3% |
1.3% |
||
Colorectal cancer |
5 - 10% |
4.1 |
More research is needed to confirm this link. |
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostate vs. 2 2025. |
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Other cancers
Research suggests that mutations may also increase the risk for cancer. More research is needed to better define the lifetime risks for other cancers in people with an mutation. For this reason, genetics experts often look at a family’s history of cancer to help people with mutations understand their risk for additional cancers.
It is important to note that cancer risks are estimates over the course of a person's lifetime. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next five years will vary depending on:
- current age
- sex assigned at birth
- specific mutation
- personal and family health history
- diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors
More Resources
Participate in Prevention Research
The screening and prevention studies below are enrolling people with mutations. To search for more studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
PATROL Study: Prostate Cancer Screening for People AT Genetic Risk FOr Aggressive Disease
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04472338
Screening Study for Men at High Genetic Risk for Prostate Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT03805919
Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection for People at High Risk
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04970056
Screening in Men at High Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05608694
Prostate Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation and Screening Study (PROGRESS)
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05129605
Helping Latinas Understand Their Risk for Breast Cancer and Get Breast Cancer Care
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05483283
Participate in Treatment Research
The treatment studies below are enrolling people with mutations. To search for more studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
Vaccines for Pancreatic Cancer After Chemotherapy
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05111353
New Treatment in People with Triple Negative Breast Cancer or Advanced Solid Tumors
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT06022029
Study of the Drug Sovilnesib in People with Ovarian Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT06084416
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05011383
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05720039
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04030559
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June 11, 2021
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Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with ATM, CHEK2, PALB2 and Other Genes