Is breast cancer hereditary

[PoojaPujari]

Hi,

My mother was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer, she is 54 years old. She had full treatment of Chemo and radiation. She is re-covered now and all okay.

I have one younger sister. I am 26 years old and she is 24 years old.

Can anyone please help us to tell is breast cancer hereditary? In our family there is no family history of cancer, not from mother and father side.

Do I and my little sister need to take any precaution to avoid future risk?

Please suggest.

Thanks!

[roxboxfox RadiationOncologist]

Breast Cancer can be Hereditary.

However in absence of any other family member, it is extremely unlikely and as per current recommendations, you would not be eligible for any Gentic testing, nor would you be deemed to have any excess risk compared to your neighbour or your friend.

[MsLockYourPosts TeamBCI]

You and your sister, like all women, should learn about doing self exams - have your doctor or nurse teach you or find a couple of good videos on you tube - and make it a normal part of being aware of your own body. As Roxboxfox said, it is not likely that you or your sister have anything to worry about, but doing monthly self exams is the best way to insure that, should either of you develop breast cancer later in life, it will be caught very early. Encourage your friends and other family members to do the same. Being aware of any changes in what is normal for us, and not waiting to be checked if we notice something, because of fear or embarrassment, is important. I found my cancer very early, which meant that treatment was less involved, and I am doing well 11 years later.

[made2b2gether]

Hi pooja. Breast Cancer can be heriditary or largely due to environmental causes, diet, hormonal changes, or plain bad luck.

To pinpoint if genetic causes are there, take the BRCA 1 and 2 test. You may also want to check for Palb2, ATM, Tp53 and few other genetic factors, but BRCA 1 and 2 may be most useful and sensible for starters to take “preventive measures” for family members and then subsequently have the family memebers tested if your mother has any of these causative genes. Self checks are good and advisable, but genetic testing will allow you to take decisions in a timely way with professional advise from a specialist to avoid diagnosis all together if the right advise and steps are followed.

This site is most telavant and useful.

facingourrisk.org

Read it and find a good genetic counselor vesed in the subjectmatter to guide you.

You ask a very sensible question.

Good luck