Are you at risk for hereditary breast cancer?

We have blogged more often about sporadic and familial breast cancer because these are the most common types.  About 80% of all breast cancers are the so-called sporadic type which some say occurs by chance, but that means we don't yet understand the mechanism of occurrence.  Another 15%, called familial, probably have both genetic (someone in the family has had breast cancer) and environmental mechanisms.  The BREVAGen and HALO may be the tests for these women.

Another 5% have the hereditary type.  In these people (yes both men and women) there is an abnormal gene passed down from one or both of the parents.  It is important to find these individuals and we have a test for this gene abnormality called BRCA 1 & 2.  You may read more at https://www.mysupport360.com/mission/hereditary-cancer.php.

You may be at risk for hereditary breast cancer if:

• you have breast cancer before age 50
• you have a family member diagnosed before age 50
• you or a family member with ovarian cancer (at any age)
• male family member with breast cancer (at any age)
• you or a family member with triple negative breast cancer
• pancreatic and breast or ovarian cancer in the same family member
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and personal or family history of breast cancer
• two breast cancers in the same person (one occurring <50yr)
• two family members (on the same side) with breast cancer and one <50yr
• three family members with breast cancer (on the same side and any age)
• family member with a previously identified BRCA 1 or 2 mutation

Wow, long list and complicated, but important, so we may find out who would benefit from the BRCA 1/2 test.

Together we can prevent 86,000 breast cancer cases each year!

This content is general information and not personal medical advice.  If you have any of these points mentioned then ask your doctor about the test.  If you don't have a doctor, please call 512-451-5788 or email me www.owenwinsettmd.com or find a doctor at http://www.bracnow.com/find-provider/index.php.