About 7% of all breast cancers are inherited. Some of the risk factors for breast cancer include; female gender, increasing age, increased alcohol consumption, prolonged estrogenic exposure, Ashkenazi or Eastern Jewish descent and family history of breast cancer.  Studies show that the inheritance of germ-line mutations (alterations) of the tumor-suppressor genes known as BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 increases the lifetime risk of breast cancer by 65-70%.  BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations are located on chromosomes 17 and 13 respectively. There are over 1,200 BRCA-1 mutations and greater than 1,300 BRCA-2 mutations. 

If you have a personal or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer you might benefit from a thorough hereditary cancer risk assessment.  If possible, the testing should start with a family member—you, if applicable—who has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Testing someone diagnosed with cancer enables geneticists to specifically target chromosomal mutation sites.  The information gathered via this genetic testing may help customize prevention strategies to further reduce risks of recurrence or primary malignancies. If this is not possible, then the unaffected, at-risk individual will have all of the potential genetic mutation sites tested for the BRCA 1 and 2.

Screening should include a complete personal and family history, extensive genetic counseling with testing, and healthcare planning. If the testing reveals the presence of any of these gene mutations, you will be considered “at increased risk” for breast cancer.  You also will have some prevention strategies to consider, including: closer surveillance, chemoprevention or prophylactic surgical procedures. 

If you have a family history of breast cancer, we recommend you find out more about genetic testing.  For assistance evaluating your genetic testing options, schedule appointment with one of our physicians or nurse practitioners.

You can also get more information about Northside Hospital’s Hereditary Cancer Program from their website www.northside.com.

Juanita Wyatt-Hathaway, MD