Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Having a family history of breast and ovarian cancer affects a woman's risk for developing these diseases. Learn about hereditary risk, and whether you might benefit from cancer genetic counseling and testing.
Know Your Family History
All women should collect and record their family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Update your family history on a regular basis and let your doctor know if more cases of breast or ovarian cancer occur. You should collect the following information about both your mother's and father's sides of the family:
- Number of close relatives with breast or ovarian cancer: mother, sister(s), daughter(s), grandmothers, aunt(s), niece(s), and granddaughter(s)
- Ages when the cancers were diagnosed
- Whether anyone had cancer of both breasts
- Breast cancer in male relatives
- Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry
Collect your family history using the My Family Health Portrait tool.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, affecting about 200,000 women in the United States each year. About 7 out of 100 women (or 7%) will get breast cancer by age 70; about 1 out of 100 women (or 1%) will get ovarian cancer by age 70. While ovarian cancer is less common, it is much harder to detect and often more serious. Most breast and ovarian cancers occur in women after the age of 50.
Most Breast and Ovarian Cancers Are Not Hereditary
- Only about 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancers are considered to be hereditary. These cancers are the result of inherited changes in single major genes which have a large effect, such as the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Hereditary cancers often affect several family members, and occur at young ages.
- Some breast and ovarian cancers in families are the result of minor genetic factors combined with aging, the environment, and lifestyle.
- Most breast and ovarian cancers are primarily due to aging, the environment, and lifestyle.
Family History Clues
You may be at increased risk of inheriting changes in the BRCA1/2 genes if your family history includes one or more of the following:
- Several relatives with either breast or ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer at a young age (under 50)
- A relative with cancer of both breasts
- A relative who had both breast and ovarian cancer
- A male relative with breast cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry and any relative with breast or ovarian cancer
- A relative with a known BRCA1/2 genetic change
Understanding BRCA Genes
BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) are genes that normally protect you from getting certain cancers. Women who inherit a change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a much higher risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. But, important steps can be taken to help lower the risk for cancer in these women. Note that not everyone who inherits a BRCA1/2 change will get breast or ovarian cancer.
Breast Cancer Risk | |
---|---|
Women in the U.S. General Population | Women with a BRCA1/2 Genetic Change |
Ovarian Cancer Risk | |
Women in the U.S. General Population | Women with a BRCA1/2 Genetic Change |
More about Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer
- Most people don't need BRCA1/2 genetic testing
- Genetic counseling and testing is most helpful when there is a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer
- Genetic testing is most useful if first performed on someone in the family who has had breast or ovarian cancer
- Genetic testing for BRCA1/2 changes will not find all causes of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer
- Health insurance often, but not always, covers the cost of genetic counseling and BRCA1/2 testing
Quick facts about Breast and Ovarian Cancer and BRCA1/2 Genes
What about BRCA1/2 Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is available to find out if a woman has inherited a change in either their BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. However, most breast and ovarian cancer is not caused by these genetic changes, so BRCA1/2 genetic testing will only be helpful for a small number of women. If you are concerned about your family history, you should meet with a genetic counselor or other qualified health care professional to discuss:
- your family history
- possible cancer risks
- whether BRCA1/2 testing might be helpful
- possible test results and impact on medical care
- effect on family members
- testing pros and cons
More Information
- Factors that may increase risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- Ways to reduce your risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- Types of family history patterns for which genetic counseling may be appropriate
- Genetic counseling and evaluation for BRCA1/2 testing
- Quick facts about Breast and Ovarian Cancer and BRCA1/2 Genes
- Recommendations and clinical considerations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
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