A breast cancer patient from Italy with germline mutations in both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

We report the first case in Italy of a non-Ashkenazi double heterozygote for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. This finding is predictably rare, with a maximum frequency of 1/250,000. The proband and her mother were diagnosed with early-onset breast cancer. No other relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer were observed. The implications of this case in regard to genetic testing and counseling are substantial.