1. My mother and sister have both been diagnosed and treated for breast
cancer. Does this mean I will get breast cancer too?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Maybe
C - Your risk is increased by two or three times that of the general
population, and you are at higher risk of developing breast cancer before
menopause. Your risk is even greater if your relative(s) developed breast cancer
before menopause, or if the relative had breast cancer in both breasts. Note
that only five to 10 percent of all breast cancers are hereditary. You should
consult your doctor about personal breast cancer screening guidelines. You will
probably be advised to have your first mammogram earlier and clinical breast
exams at least once a year. You should continue to perform monthly breast
self-exams, as recommended for the general population.
2. BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations (alterations in genetic
material) increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
A. True
B. False
A - True. Women with an altered BRCA gene usually have an increased
risk of developing breast cancer and at a younger age (before menopause).
However, not all women who carry the BRCA genes will develop cancer.
BRCA1 was the first gene detected that increased the risk for breast and
ovarian cancer. The presence of this gene produces a greater than 80 percent
risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer by age 85. BRCA1 appears to account
for about 45 percent of inherited breast cancers and 80 percent of families with
both breast and ovarian cancer. An estimated one in 600 women carry this gene.
A second gene, BRCA2, also plays a major part in breast and ovarian cancer.
Less information is available on the function of this gene; however, it is
associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer among carriers.
BRCA2 is also associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer and may
account for a genetic linkage of male breast cancer.
Both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can be inherited from either parent. Men or
women who carry one of these gene mutations have a one in two (50/50) chance of
passing it on to each of their children.
3. My risk for breast cancer starts to increase after age 35.
A. True
B. False
B - False. Breast cancer is uncommon in women under age 35. The risk
of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older. About 70 percent of women
diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over age 50, and almost half are age
65 and older.