Is Breast Cancer Genetic?
4 min read
Many may ask if breast cancer is hereditary, I mean, if someone in the family has breast cancer, is there a possibility of breast cancer?
The answer is yes. According to the American Cancer Society, about 12% of breast cancers are hereditary. That means, there is a genetic chance to getting a breast cancer.
This article will discuss genetic and hereditary risk factors for breast cancer. And who is most at risk will also be discussed.
Article Contents
What is hereditary breast cancer?
Hereditary breast cancer is a type of breast cancer caused by genetic mutations that are passed down through families. This means that if the cause of destruction is breast cancer, someone in the next generation is likely to develop breast cancer. One study found that about 12 to 20 percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary. The most common genes associated with hereditary breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
However, women who carry these genetic mutations have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations increase the risk of breast cancer such as:
- This gene mutation increases the risk of developing breast cancer at a young age
- There is a risk of developing cancer in both breasts i.e. breast cancer can occur due to the effect of gene mutation in the right and left breast.
- There is an increased risk of other cancers, including ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
- If someone in the family has the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the chance of developing breast cancer is 50%.
Who is at risk of hereditary breast cancer?
A family history of breast cancer does not necessarily mean breast cancer will develop. But there is a risk of breast cancer. Let's know who is most at risk if any member of the family has breast cancer.- A close family member with whom you regularly travel has had breast or ovarian cancer.
- If more than one family member has had breast or ovarian cancer, other family members are at risk of developing cancer.
- Family members who were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age.
What other things are related to hereditary genes?
Hereditary breast cancer can also result from mutations in other genes.
Although these genes are considered a common cause of breast cancer, some genetic syndromes increase the risk of breast cancer and other cancers.
That means, if a hereditary member has any cancer gene, there is a possibility of developing cancer from it and it can be breast cancer or other cancers.
Certain gene mutations increase the risk of breast cancer and other types of cancer. These mutations include:
- TP53: which causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Also, it prevents cells from growing and dividing (proliferating) too rapidly or in an uncontrolled manner.
- PTEN: this gene makes an enzyme that is found in almost all tissues of the body.
- STK11: which can cause Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
What are other risk factors for breast cancer?
There is no single cause of breast cancer; breast cancer can be caused by various factors. Apart from hereditary factors, there are many other causes of cancer, such as:
- Older age: One study found that 45 percent of breast cancer patients are over 50, so women in their fifties are most likely to develop breast cancer.
- Family history: A significant risk factor for breast cancer is family history. In blood relations, having cancer in one member of the same family may increase the risk of breast cancer in another member.
- Obese or healthy: women who are physically a little healthy; those with excess body fat are at the highest risk of developing breast cancer.
- Dense breast tissue: Women with dense breasts have less fatty tissue and more glandular tissue, which increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Onset of period at a young age: Onset of period before 12 years of age increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Late childbearing: Women who have children late, especially after the age of 30, are at increased risk of developing cancer.
- Not breastfeeding: Another risk of breast cancer is not breastfeeding the baby. There are many women who do not breastfeed their babies; all those women are at risk of developing breast cancer.
How to reduce the risk of hereditary breast cancer?
Although hereditary causes of breast cancer are the highest risk, it is possible to avoid hereditary breast cancer by following some rules. If there is a family history of ovarian or ovarian cancer, you can take the following steps:- Knowing Family Ovarian History: Talk to your doctor directly about family ovarian and cancer and get advice about whether genetic gene testing is right for you.
- Get regular breast cancer screening: Women who are at risk for breast cancer or are at risk for breast cancer should have regular mammograms and breast exams. Early detection of breast cancer in those with early-stage metastases can eliminate it with early treatment.
- Consider risk-reducing surgery: Although any surgery is harmful to the human body, although doctors recommend surgery to reduce the risk of disease, women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation may choose to have prophylactic surgery to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
- Family genetic gene testing: To understand hereditary breast cancer risk, review family breast cancer history and have family members genes tested. You can get an idea about it beforehand. Only then it is possible to avoid hereditary breast cancer.