At the age of 70, the cumulative risk of developing ovarian cancer in a BRCA1 mutation carrier ranges from 16 to 85%, whereas the risk with a BRCA2 mutation is 10–27% (Ford et al, 1994, 1998; Easton et al, 1995; Burke et al, 1997; Struewing et al, 1997). Here, BRCA1 is linked to ovarian carcinoma.