The role of genetic testing will also be discussed.
Don’t assume that you know this informationit’s worth specifically asking.
While these conversations won’t add facts aboutyourhealth, they can be valuable discussions.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Don’t be surprised if a relativeyour mother, especiallyisn’t immediately forthcoming about sharing her cancer story.
In addition to the topic possibly being sensitive, there may be a hesitancy to cause you distress.
Using Your Family History
You should certainly share your family history with your medical team.
However, such testing isn’t the only factor influencing your risk.
There are several genes associated with breast cancer.
The most common areBRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, but over 70 identified gene mutations are associated with breast cancer.
And there is a link betweenbreast cancer genes and the outcomeof the disease.
With this in mind, genetic testing requires a complex decision-making process.
It’s important to understand the limitations of these tests if you choose to do one.
Furthermore, “good” results can provide a false sense of security.
you’re free to develop breast cancer even if you don’t have a known breast cancer gene.
Genetic Counseling
Ideally, everyone would have genetic counseling when testing.
A genetic counselor may find areas of concern and can talk to you about what testing means.
This concept is known as penetrance.
Talk to your healthcare provider to see if genetic testing is suggested for you.
And don’t skip your screenings.
The risk would be the same for each generation.
If you don’t have the mutation, you don’t continue to pass it along.
A genetic predisposition to breast cancer can come from either the mother or father.
Yes, you should.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Ovarian cancer risk factors & prevention.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at increased risk for BRCA gene mutations.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer early detection and diagnosis.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer risk factors you cannot change.
American Cancer Society.Genetic counseling and testing for breast cancer risk.
MedlinePlus.Can a direct-to-consumer genetic test tell me whether I will develop cancer?
American Cancer Society.Can I lower my risk of breast cancer?
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What causes hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.
Yale Medicine.New mammogram guidelines: what women should know.
University of Michigan Health.
Michigan Medicine.Family history and the risk for breast or ovarian cancer.
