Family History
I had breast cancer. Is my daughter at risk?
Usually not. Even if there is another family member affected the chances are that it is not hereditary. Breast cancer is a common disease so the chances of there being two affected members in any family are pretty high.
The following are pointers to the possibility of there being a hereditary tendency:
If you are in any doubt, seek medical advice. In some cases the specialist services of a familial cancer clinic are advisable. These clinics can advise on the few cases that might benefit from genetic testing for the mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes, like BRCA1 and BRCA2. Carriers of these mutations are at a very high life-time risk of developing breast cancer and may sometimes choose preventative (“prophylactic”) mastectomy or oophrectomy. Genetic mutations are rare in the genral population. According to the latest research, approximately one in eight hundred people in the general population may have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. This is higher in certain population groups such as Ashkenazi Jewish men and women.
I refer my patients to the familial cancer team at Westmead Hospital, lead by Professor Judy Kirk. They can be contacted on (02) 9845 6947.
For more information including the locations of familial cancer clinics, please refer to the Cancer Genetics section on the eviQ website.
How can I calculate someone's risk of getting breast cancer
There are good calculators on both the Cancer Australia website and the Pink Hope website.
Usually not. Even if there is another family member affected the chances are that it is not hereditary. Breast cancer is a common disease so the chances of there being two affected members in any family are pretty high.
The following are pointers to the possibility of there being a hereditary tendency:
- Breast or ovarian cancer in three or more first degree family members
- Bilateral breast cancer in any individual.
- Breast cancer occurring under the age of 50
- A male in the family with breast cancer
If you are in any doubt, seek medical advice. In some cases the specialist services of a familial cancer clinic are advisable. These clinics can advise on the few cases that might benefit from genetic testing for the mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes, like BRCA1 and BRCA2. Carriers of these mutations are at a very high life-time risk of developing breast cancer and may sometimes choose preventative (“prophylactic”) mastectomy or oophrectomy. Genetic mutations are rare in the genral population. According to the latest research, approximately one in eight hundred people in the general population may have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. This is higher in certain population groups such as Ashkenazi Jewish men and women.
I refer my patients to the familial cancer team at Westmead Hospital, lead by Professor Judy Kirk. They can be contacted on (02) 9845 6947.
For more information including the locations of familial cancer clinics, please refer to the Cancer Genetics section on the eviQ website.
How can I calculate someone's risk of getting breast cancer
There are good calculators on both the Cancer Australia website and the Pink Hope website.
