Introduction Mutations in Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes (BRCA) are associated with an increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. In previous studies, about 20% of ovarian cancer patients reported a BRCA gene mutation. However, there is currently no consensus on the incidence and risk management of breast cancer following ovarian cancer diagnosis in BRCA carriers. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of the risk and management of breast cancer in ovarian cancer patients with BRCA mutation.

Methods For published studies, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for published studies to October 2022. The number of BRCA carriers with ovarian cancer, rate of BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 mutation, incidence of breast cancer, time interval between ovarian cancer diagnosis to breast cancer, and the breast cancer detection method were extracted.

Results Eight studies met all inclusions and were included in the meta-analysis. Breast cancer incidence in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer patients was 7.87% (160/2034). Breast cancer incidence with BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 mutation was 9.1% (90/991) and 8.65% (36/416), respectively. The primary breast cancer incidence following ovarian cancer was 7.52% (124/1648), and the recurrence rate was 10.31% (20/194) in patients with previous breast cancer history. The median time interval between ovarian and breast cancer diagnosis was 3.5–9 years. The most frequent screening method was mammography.

Conclusion/Implications The risk of breast cancer after ovarian cancer was lower than the risk of breast cancer alone in BRCA carriers. Routine mammography could be helpful for the diagnosis of breast cancer in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer patients.