How do heredity and inheritance relate to the data presented in these charts? Explain how breast-cancer genes are still present in the population, despite cancer-related surgeries and deaths.
RCA1 mutation BRCA2 mutation No BRCA mutation Total Number of patients 89 35 318 442 Average age at diagnosis 43.9 46.2 50.4 Preventative mastectomy* 6 3 14 23 Preventative oophorectomy* 38 7 22 67 Number of deaths 16 1 21 38 Percent died 18 2.8 6.9 8.6

Question

How do heredity and inheritance relate to the data presented in these charts? Explain how breast-cancer genes are still present in the population, despite cancer-related surgeries and deaths.
RCA1 mutation BRCA2 mutation No BRCA mutation Total Number of patients 89 35 318 442 Average age at diagnosis 43.9 46.2 50.4 Preventative mastectomy* 6 3 14 23 Preventative oophorectomy* 38 7 22 67 Number of deaths 16 1 21 38 Percent died 18 2.8 6.9 8.6