What you need to know when you have a family history of breast cancer

Having a family history means that you have one or more blood relatives with breast cancer.

They may be relatives who have died or relatives who are still alive:

• First-degree relatives parents, sisters, brothers, and children

• Second-degree relatives aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandparents, or third-degree relatives, which includes first cousins

Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, only about 13 percent of women diagnosed have a first-degree female relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer. Still, if someone in your family has had breast cancer, your chances of getting it may be higher. And if you have two or three relatives who have breast cancer, your chances may be even higher. Further, when talking about family history, it’s important to consider both sides of your family. A history of breast cancer in a close male relative (father, brother or uncle) increases your risk of breast cancer.

How does family history affect your lifetime risk for breast cancer?

Sometimes a very strong family history is caused by a mutated gene that runs in the family.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that normally help control cell growth. But an inherited change, called a mutation, in one of these genes makes you much more likely to get breast and ovarian cancers. A BRCA gene test is a blood test that can tell you and your doctor whether you have one of these changed genes.

Before you have a gene test, you will need to see a genetic counselor. Counseling will help you make an informed decision about whether to have a BRCA gene test. It is often covered by insurance, but check with your insurance company to find out. What should you do? There are special breast cancer screening guidelines for women with a strong family history of breast (for example, two or more first-degree relatives with breast).

If you have a strong family history, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Cancer Society recommend, starting at age 30, you get a:

• Clinical breast exam every six to 12 months

• Mammogram every year

• Breast MRI every year

If you have a first-degree relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before age 30, talk with your health care provider about starting this screening at the age of your relative’s cancer diagnosis.