I have the PALB2 gene but both parents tested negative

So, the first thing to clarify is that everyone has the PALB2 gene (just like we all have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes etc). It's whether we have a *mutation* in those genes that's the issue.

& yes , like exbrnxgrl said, some mutations are germline & others are somatic: "Somatic mutations – occur in a single body cell and cannot be inherited (only tissues derived from mutated cell are affected)

Germline mutations – occur in gametes and can be passed onto offspring (every cell in the entire organism will be affected)"

This study reports that just over 1% of PALB2 invasive breast carcinoma mutations were somatic https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene...

The other possibility is one that was discovered by many after giving family members Ancestry etc kits as Christmas presents. Fathers aren't always the fathers. Occasionally mothers weren't the mothers either.

Have you spoken with a genetics counsellor? They should advise you further about implications of your test result.

hi

I am a cancer genetic counsellor. It is important to know what sort of mutation do you have in your palb2 gene. Some mutations are not important at all.