Hereditary Breast Cancer
Breast cancer risk can be inherited in some families, due to damaged genes
that have been passed down through generations. Your family history can
give clues to how high your risk may be.
Should you be screened for hereditary cancer?
Having a family history of breast cancer does not always mean that you
or other family members will develop cancer. Many women believe that their
breast cancer risk is higher than it actually is. Working together with
a genetic counselor can help you sort out your family history to learn
about your true risk and ways to manage it. Sometimes, genetic testing
is helpful in this process.
BRCA1 and BRCA2
BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer) are the two genes most frequently associated
with hereditary breast cancer. An individual’s chance of inheriting
a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is different in each family and depends
on the family history. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast
and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits the BRCA1 or
BRCA2 mutation. Learn more about
BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Understanding Your Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer
Here are some signs to look for. If you or a close relative have had any
of the following, a hereditary breast cancer assessment may be valuable
for your health.
- Breast cancer under age 40-50
- Ovarian cancer at any age
- Fallopian tube cancer at any age
- Peritoneal cancer at any age
- Breast and / or ovarian cancer in the same person
- Male breast cancer
- Breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer in an Ashkenazi
- (Eastern European ancestry) Jewish family
Genetic counselors can help you navigate your family history, determine
whether genetic testing is appropriate for you and help you understand
how to be proactive about managing your risks. Hoag offers a robust Hereditary
Cancer Program, which offers genetic counseling as well as testing, an
important combination when evaluating
hereditary cancer.
Learn more about
Hoag’s Hereditary Cancer Program, or schedule an appointment, by calling 949-764-5764.
Continuum of awareness
Whether it is time for your annual breast screening or you have an area
of concern, it is extremely valuable for you to be proactive in your breast health.
Hoag’s comprehensive breast program offers the most advanced screening
technologies, along with a compassionate and specialized breast care team.
With a multidisciplinary approach that includes awareness, prevention,
early detection, use of promising therapies, and extensive complementary
support programs, our team at Hoag is here to help you with your specific
breast health needs.
Schedule your mammogram today.