BRCA2

BRCA2 A tumor suppressor gene that normally acts to restrain the growth of cells. Mutations of BRCA2, like those of BRCA1, are responsible mainly for hereditary breast cancer. They seldom appear to be involved in sporadic, noninherited breast cancer—the 95 percent of breast cancer that does not run in families. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 are large, complex genes. From the words breast and cancer. See also breast cancer susceptibility gene. breadbasket A popular term for the stomach.