My first cousin died from breast cancer, what are the chances I might have cance!
Question: Family history of breast cancer is known to be an important risk factor for the disease. There are different levels of risk in women with family histories of breast cancer, one due to a genetically inherited predisposition to breast cancer and the other to increased familial incidence of the disease.
To date, mutations of three genes, BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 have been associated with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, although it is anticipated that additional genes will be identified in the future. Familial characteristics suggestive of a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are: multiple relatives with breast cancer (usually >3); a history of breast and ovarian cancer; early-onset breast cancer and bilateral breast cancer.
So unless you have multiple relatives with breast cancer or any of the other familial factors listed, you are not genetically any more predisposed to breast cancer than any other woman (or man; breast cancer does occur in men also).
Remember too that there are a lot of factors that go into your risk of breast cancer, such as diet, hormones, ethnicity, environment, etc.
Answers: Family history of breast cancer is known to be an important risk factor for the disease. There are different levels of risk in women with family histories of breast cancer, one due to a genetically inherited predisposition to breast cancer and the other to increased familial incidence of the disease.
To date, mutations of three genes, BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 have been associated with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, although it is anticipated that additional genes will be identified in the future. Familial characteristics suggestive of a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are: multiple relatives with breast cancer (usually >3); a history of breast and ovarian cancer; early-onset breast cancer and bilateral breast cancer.
So unless you have multiple relatives with breast cancer or any of the other familial factors listed, you are not genetically any more predisposed to breast cancer than any other woman (or man; breast cancer does occur in men also).
Remember too that there are a lot of factors that go into your risk of breast cancer, such as diet, hormones, ethnicity, environment, etc.
i wouldn't worry about hereditary BC unless 3 of your close relatives have had it
it shouldnt be enough of a worry. Get tested like once a year or something if you are worrying alot
being it runs in your family i would see my doctor at least once a year .. cause there is about 30% Chance you could develop it at some point in your life. cancer is nothing to play with .. and don't think naa not me .. a lot of people have died thinking the same thing.. you can't be to careful.
Only 5 -10 % of breast cancer cases are due to hereditary factors.
Hereditary breast cancer is down to a faulty gene, and females in your family can be tested for this if your doctors think it is appropriate. Even if someone has the faulty gene it doesn't mean they will definitely get breast cancer.
But your cousin's cancer may well have been random, like most cases of breast cancer; her oncologist would have been able to tell her if it was hereditary; mine was able to reassure me that my breast cancer wasn't hereditary and that my sisters, female cousins and nieces (I have no daughters) were not at increased risk.
One in nine women will have breast cancer at some time in their lives. So even if two or three women in the same extended family have it, that still doesn't necessarily mean it runs in the family - all cases could be random, as most cases are.
Bear in mind that most breast cancer cases are NOT genetic, and try not to worry without cause.
if you have family history of breast ca.you have a 30% chance of getting it.the chances increase to 80% if you have recieved defective BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes from either of your parents----these are life time risks.please note that the lifetime risk in western females is 12% .early onset of periods,late menopause,not breast feeding,havin no issues,diet high in animal fat and high alcohol intake increase the risk.
you should go for periodic breast exam by a surgeon and get regular mamografy done for early detection of cancer.