Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that can develop in one or both mammary glands. Today it is believed to be associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Often, pathologies of the genes that are responsible for this cancer are diagnosed in young women under 40 years of age. These genes regulate the full proliferation of mammary gland cells and reduce the possibility of cancer developing in them. But with existing pathology in these genes, the risk of breast cancer becomes higher. Pathology of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, according to statistics, accounts for about 10% of all cases of the disease.
Hereditary causes of breast cancer
The abnormal genes were first identified in the process of studying families in which young women already had breast cancer. There is a high probability that abnormal genes that cause breast cancer are transmitted hereditarily for the following reasons:
- There are direct female relatives through one of the parents who were diagnosed before the age of fifty.
- There are women in the family who currently have breast cancer.
- Direct relatives had cancer of both mammary glands.
- A male member of the family was diagnosed with breast cancer.
What are the hereditary forms of breast cancer?
There are the following hereditary forms of breast cancer:
- Ductal, in which cancer cells are located only in the milk ducts of the gland and do not spread to the tissues that surround it. This hereditary cancer is often treatable.
- Lobular, which begins by affecting the lobules of the mammary gland.
- Infiltrative – when cancer cells begin to extend beyond the milk ducts.
- Inflammatory, which is characterized by signs of a passing inflammatory process: redness and swelling of the breast, which is hot on palpation.
- Paget's disease, which is characterized by an eczema-like rash appearing on the nipple.
- Tubular - when cancer cells are shaped like a tube.
- Mucous - starting from the milk ducts. The cells are rich in mucus content.
- Brain - when the tumor formation resembles brain tissue.
- Papillary, in which cancer cells look like villi.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that hereditary breast cancer is more aggressive than acquired breast cancer. But studies have proven that breast cancer caused by a hereditary factor, on the contrary, is less aggressive.
How common is hereditary breast cancer and who is at risk?
If someone in your family has been diagnosed with abnormal cells that cause breast cancer, this does not mean that you will inherit the disease. Let's say your mom or dad has abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The risk of inheriting them will be approximately 50%. And your children risk inheriting such genes with a probability of 25%.
Female representatives with abnormal genes are very likely to develop breast cancer in old age. But despite the high risks, you need to know that breast cancer does not appear in everyone who has hereditary predispositions. It all depends on what kind of lifestyle a person leads, what kind of environment is around him, how other genes protect the body from cancer, etc.
How is hereditary breast cancer defined today?
The first step would be to seek advice from a geneticist. Oncogenetics has reached a level where it has become very easy to carry out prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as to develop new methods of breast cancer screening, which include genotyping. For consultations with patients at risk of developing breast cancer, genetic analysis of the BRCA1/2, TP53, CHEK2 genes is preferable.
Another test option is to check for hereditary breast cancer. In some cases, even a negative test result (no gene abnormality) does not mean that there is no hereditary tendency to cancer. Therefore, when the test results are received, the woman is consulted by a geneticist who, if necessary, determines additional measures for monitoring the patient.
What is genetic testing for breast cancer?
Genetic testing for breast cancer helps women find out whether they have inherited abnormal genes that increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. The analysis is carried out to look for changes in genes directly associated with this cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Changes in these genes are rarely diagnosed, but if found, a woman's chances of developing cancer increase.
What to do if tests confirm a predisposition to hereditary cancer?
If genetic analysis has shown the presence of abnormal genes that increase the likelihood of breast cancer, it is recommended to constantly monitor your condition. An MRI scan is suitable for this purpose. It is also recommended to undergo an ultrasound of the mammary glands and take tests that are responsible for the presence of breast cancer. If specialists allow it, in order to prevent cancer, you can take the drug Tamoxifen. It is necessary to lead healthy image life: eat right, exercise, control weight and give up bad habits (cigarettes and alcoholic drinks).
Women who have been identified as having a hereditary tendency to breast cancer need to avoid factors that increase the risk of the disease:
- are there benign changes in the mammary glands ();
- very early or, on the contrary, menstruation began late;
- the woman did not give birth until the age of 35, or the last child was born after this age;
- treatment with hormones during the period after menstruation;
- the presence of habits harmful to the body, such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages in large quantities;
- excess weight, diabetes, liver and thyroid diseases;
- insufficiency of vitamin D, necessary for the full functioning of the body;
- ionizing radiation.
All these factors influence changes in hormonal levels and increase the likelihood of breast cancer in women who have a hereditary tendency to the disease, and even in those who do not have it.
What are the tactics for monitoring healthy carriers of hereditary mutations?
What tactics will be used to monitor a healthy carrier of a hereditary mutation is determined purely individually, by the specialist and the patient. The patient must inform blood relatives about the confirmation of the existing hereditary gene abnormality responsible for breast cancer and the hereditary risk they have.
Procedures that help reduce cancer risk are divided into several groups:
- observation (screening);
- surgery for preventive purposes;
- treatment with drugs.
The most commonly used tactic is surveillance. You can reduce the likelihood of developing and increase the chances of early diagnosis of breast cancer by undergoing a clinical examination every year, as well as an MRI or mammogram of the mammary glands. This tactic helps to significantly reduce the likelihood of breast cancer, but depends on whether the person follows the recommendations given by experts.
It is necessary to approach planning pregnancy and childbirth wisely. For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended not to delay pregnancy, and also, if possible, not to take hormonal drugs, giving preference to barrier-type contraceptives.
Women who have abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may have surgery to remove the breast (mastectomy). But before you take this step, you need to think carefully, weighing the pros and cons.
conclusions
If there is a hereditary predisposition to the appearance of breast cancer, do not panic. This does not always mean that hereditary breast cancer it will show up for you. To avoid this disease as much as possible, carriers of abnormal genes are advised to prevent the disease and regularly consult with a geneticist.
Only hereditary predisposition to cancer is transmitted genetically.
However, there are also hereditary types of cancer. According to various sources, from 7% to 10% of cases of malignant tumors are caused by heredity.
The most common hereditary forms of cancer include: breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer,
melanoma, acute leukemia (see ↓). This same category of cancer, but with a lesser degree of inheritance, includes neuroblastomas, tumors of the endocrine glands, and kidney cancer (see ↓).
The most important role, both in the process of the appearance of precancerous diseases and in the process of the implementation of hereditary forms of cancer, is played by a complex of congenital morphological, psychological and functional characteristics of a person, called “biological constitution”.
The constitution of a person is expressed in certain forms of his physique, the color of his eyes, skin and hair, psycho-emotional organization and characteristic reactions of the body to various types of influences. Moreover, any constitution has its own “weak links”, which manifest themselves in the increased vulnerability of certain tissues and their readiness for certain types of pathological changes - “diathesis”.
Various types of diathesis are always accompanied by congenital weaknesses of certain organs.
These three genetic components: constitution, diathesis and organ weakness determine hereditary predisposition to cancer.
The determination of the individual constitution, the type of diathesis and the congenital organ weakness present (i.e., the probable target organs against the background of an existing hereditary burden of cancer) becomes possible with the help of a highly sensitive biological examination method using the irises of the eyes.
PREVENTION OF HERITABLE CANCER
Active cancer prevention strategies include the prevention of hereditary cancer. Carriage of hereditary burdens by various types cancer does not mean a 100% probability of the disease occurring. At the same time, the discovery of a genetic predisposition to certain types of cancer has raised many complex questions.
So, for example, the most unpleasant thing is that carriers of gene predispositions that carry a tendency to cancer do not manifest themselves in any way until a tumor appears. That is, today it is impossible to know in advance which of the family members predisposed to hereditary cancer will develop a tumor disease and who can live peacefully. For this reason, all members of such families must automatically be included in the high-risk group.
However, the problem is not only this. Even in the case of 100% genetic confirmation of the risk of developing one or another type of hereditary cancer in a particular person, the choice of preventive measures is extremely complex and very limited, especially when it comes to practically healthy human carriers.
At the same time, the need and benefits of performing unnecessarily drastic interventions, such as, for example, preventive removal of mammary glands, are always very doubtful.
At the same time, simply observation (even by an oncologist) in cases of family predisposition to cancer is not active prevention of cancer, but, most likely, seems to be a passive wait for its appearance. Moreover, today
Oncology does not have reliable means for the prevention of hereditary cancer.
In this regard, the method of using autonosodes, which operate on the principle of classical autovaccines, is of great interest in homeopathy.
Thanks to this method, it is possible to carry out deep biological sanitation of the body.
with strengthening the constitution and diathesis with existing organ weaknesses, as well as significantly reducing the activity of internal oncogenic factors.
HEREDITARY TYPES OF CANCER
The caution of the doctor and the patient in case of heredity aggravated by one or another cancer disease, as well as general knowledge about the first signs of cancer, make it possible to carry out effective measures for the active prevention of cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women.
Breast tumors in close relatives (grandmother, mother, aunts, sisters) indicate a hereditary nature. If one of the listed relatives has had breast cancer, the risk of getting the disease doubles. If two people get sick
from close relatives, the risk of getting sick is five times higher than the statistical average. The likelihood of the disease increases especially if the diagnosis of breast cancer was made to one of the listed relatives who has not reached the age of 50 years.
Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all malignant tumors arising
among women. If close relatives (mother, sisters, daughters) have had cases of ovarian cancer, or several cases of the disease occurred in one family (grandmother, aunt, niece, granddaughters), then there is a high probability that ovarian cancer is hereditary in this family . If first-degree relatives were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, then the individual risk of a woman from this family on average
three times the average risk of developing ovarian cancer. The risk increases even more if the tumor has been diagnosed in several close relatives.
Stomach cancer About 10% of stomach cancer cases have a family history.
The hereditary nature of the disease is determined based on the detection of cases of stomach cancer in several members of the same family. It was noted that stomach cancer is more common in men, as well as in family members with blood group II. A textbook example is the family of Napoleon Bonaparte, in which he himself developed stomach cancer and,
at least eight close relatives.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second most common among women. Most common cause Lung cancer is usually considered to be smoking. However, as scientists from Oxford University have found, the tendency to smoke and the tendency to lung cancer are inherited “linked”. For this group of people, smoking intensity is especially important, since their likelihood of developing lung cancer remains consistently high even if they try to minimize the number of cigarettes they smoke. To avoid sad consequences for health, complete smoking cessation is necessary.
Kidney cancer often develops as a random event. Only 5% of kidney cancers develop
against the background of a hereditary predisposition, with men getting sick twice as often as women. If you have had kidney cancer in your immediate family (parents, siblings, or children), or have had multiple kidney cancer cases among all family members (including grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, cousins, and grandchildren) , that is, there is a possibility that this is a hereditary form of the disease. This is especially likely if the tumor has developed
under the age of 50, or both kidneys are affected.
Prostate cancer is not inherited in most cases. Hereditary prostate cancer has a high probability when the tumor naturally occurs from generation to generation, when three or more first-degree relatives (father, son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandfather) were sick, when the disease occurs in relatives at a relatively young age ( under 55 years old). The risk of prostate cancer increases even more if several family members are affected at the same time. Family cases of this disease develop as a result of the combined action of hereditary factors and the influence of certain environmental factors and behavioral habits.
Colon Cancer Most cases of colon cancer (about 60%) develop as an accidental event. Hereditary cases account for about 30%.
A high risk of developing colon cancer exists if close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, children) have had cases of colon or rectal cancer, or if there are several cases of the disease in the family in one line (grandparents, uncles, aunts, grandchildren, cousins or sisters).
Men have a slightly higher risk than women. The likelihood of this increases even more if among the sick people were under 50 years of age.
In addition, familial intestinal polyposis is a cause of colon cancer. At the time of their occurrence, polyps are benign (that is, non-cancerous), but the likelihood of them becoming malignant (malignant) is close to 100% if they are not treated promptly. In most of these patients, polyps are diagnosed
at older ages, but can be detected even in adolescents.
Among other things, family members who are carriers of even “attenuated” (weakened) polyposis, which is characterized by a small number of polyps, are also at risk for developing tumors in other locations: stomach, small intestine, pancreas and thyroid gland, as well as liver tumors.
Thyroid cancer There are reports of hereditary forms of thyroid cancer, which include 20 to 30% of cases of medullary cancer of this organ.
In rare cases, inheritance of this disease can be discussed with papillary
and follicular forms of thyroid cancer.
Based on data from epidemiological studies, it turned out that hereditary predisposition and a high risk of developing thyroid cancer may occur more often in people who were exposed to radiation in childhood.
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Breast cancer is inherited
Are you expecting to die from breast cancer in the next 10 years? This question plagues many women. The latest public opinion poll showed that 98% of women exaggerate this danger. Here are some of the myths that circulate among us.
Killer #1
Breast cancer is the No. 1 killer of women. Not true. Women are 8 times more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases. In fact, breast cancer deaths rank sixth, just behind deaths from pneumonia and influenza.
Among women under 45 years of age, mortality is higher from AIDS and accidents than from breast cancer. However, the fear of losing one breast and becoming less sexy has made breast cancer the most dangerous disease for young women. At the same time, these same women who were terrified of mastectomy (breast amputation) continue to smoke, not use seat belts in cars, and engage in unsafe sex.
Cancer deaths are rising
Death rates from breast cancer continue to rise. Not true. Compared to the forties, the number of breast cancer cases has increased sharply, but mortality has remained at the same level. At the same time, there is a tendency even to reduce deaths. Between 1988 and 1992, for example, mortality fell by 5%, the lowest level since 1950. Why is the mortality rate stable while the number of new diseases has increased? This happens thanks to medical advances. Significantly more women are getting mammograms, which leads to early detection of the disease while it is still treatable. Moreover, thanks to modern methods Through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, doctors managed to stop the progressive disease.
Chance of getting cancer
I have a one in eight chance that I could get breast cancer right now.
Not true. You have this chance throughout your life. Understanding this is very important because many women mistakenly think that during every doctor's visit they will be diagnosed with breast cancer. What does this 1:8 ratio actually mean? Breast cancer is a disease mainly of older women. For your risk of getting the disease to become, for example, 1:9, you need to live to at least 85 years of age. By this age, many may die for completely different reasons and from other ailments.
Breast cancer is not hereditary
None of my relatives have had breast cancer, so I can rest easy.
Wrong. Most often, the risk of developing breast cancer is not inherited. Apart from age, doctors still do not know the reasons why cancer cells suddenly begin to grow uncontrollably in the mammary glands.
Only 5 - 10% of breast cancer patients were found to have an inherited gene called BRCA1. These women have a higher risk than others of developing the disease at an earlier age (usually before menopause), and there is a risk of cancer affecting many women of different generations in the same family. Women who inherit this gene have an 85% risk of developing breast cancer, and more than half will develop the disease before age 50. In addition, their risk of ovarian cancer increases dramatically.
In addition to BRCA1, another hereditary gene has also been discovered - BRCA2, which, according to experts, affects another 35% of women.
Predisposition to cancer
Genetic predisposition to breast cancer occurs only on the maternal side.
Wrong. Susceptibility to breast cancer can be inherited on both the maternal and paternal side. Since the presence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes does not manifest itself in men, women may not be aware of the possible danger of inheriting this disease. But fathers who have these gene changes are 50% capable of passing them on to their children. In cases where genes are inherited from a father, the daughter's risk of developing breast cancer increases if the disease was common in his female relatives. However, if the father has no sisters, the risk is reduced.
Risk factors
I have many risk factors, so I may get breast cancer.
Wrong. Research shows that most women with known risk factors do not get breast cancer. Moreover, many women with breast cancer have no risk factors other than age. The following are known risk factors:
Medical history of relatives. When female relatives (both maternal and paternal) have had the disease, women are at increased risk of inheriting cancer. The risk increases even more if relatives fell ill before the onset of menopause or when both breasts were affected.
Personal medical history. The risk of the disease increases if a woman has previously had other breast diseases, accompanied by the growth of normal breast cells or atypical hyperplasia - an increase in the number of structural elements of breast tissue due to their excessive formation (benign tumor).
History of reproduction. Late menopause (after 55 years) increases susceptibility to the disease. The conditions of the disease are aggravated if the first child appeared after 30 years or if there is no child at all. These reproductive risks lead to changes in sex hormones that affect breast tissue.
Alcohol consumption. Well-known Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Walter Willett, MD, a leading expert in this field, notes: “Evidence shows that small daily intake of alcohol does not increase the risk of disease. And the more a woman drinks alcohol, the more her risk increases.” Numerous studies show that alcohol increases the level of estrogen in the blood, which affects the development of breast cancer.
Treatment by replenishing estrogen. The risk increases slightly as a woman ages, but some studies show that previous treatment is not associated with a higher risk of the disease. And long-term replenishment of estrogen has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and bones.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
There is nothing that can be done if I have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Wrong. When research has shown that a woman has these genes, steps can be taken to reduce the risk. One of the preventive measures is a monthly self-examination of your mammary glands; once every six months you should contact a gynecologist or oncologist to determine the disease at the earliest stage.
A prophylactic double mastectomy (amputation of both breasts) can be performed, but many doctors now oppose this method. In addition to the fact that the patient experiences powerful emotional trauma, amputation does not provide a 100 percent guarantee that the cancer cells remaining in the tissue will not begin to grow.
IA No. FS77−55373 dated September 17, 2013, issued Federal service for supervision in the field of communications, information technology and mass communications(Roskomnadzor). Founder: PRAVDA.Ru LLC
Prevention of breast cancer. Truth and myths about this terrible disease
Breast cancer spares neither women nor men, while oncology is inherited - doctors assure, although many stubbornly consider this a myth. What else do you need to know about breast cancer and how to avoid it?
Our expert is Irina Viktorovna Lisachenko, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Physician for Radiation Diagnostics of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Radiation Diagnostics, MBF RNRMU named after. N.I. Pirogova.
AiF.ru, Maya Milich: Is giving birth and breastfeeding really a prevention of breast problems or rather a myth?
Irina Lisachenko: No, this is not a myth. In principle, a woman’s nature is to reproduce her own kind, therefore for women’s health it is useful to breastfeed a child until a certain age. This also regulates hormonal status, and not to mention the fact that it is beneficial for the child. So yes, breastfeeding is definitely a preventive measure for breast cancer.
Do men really get breast cancer too?
Yes, unfortunately, men do get breast cancer. They, like women, are advised to undergo mammography, especially if a man has any complaints and especially if he has felt something in himself. Usually men pay attention to the fact that they have some enlargement of the mammary glands. If this happens, then you need to contact a surgeon: men have not only cancer, but also gynecomastia. Typically, these diseases occur in parallel with kidney and prostate diseases, so men who have a history of this need to be especially careful. Any person needs to monitor the condition of their mammary glands and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
Can a bra that is too tight cause cancer?
Any underwear should generally be comfortable. If it is comfortable and does not pinch, then it will not lead to any diseases, although it may be a risk factor.
How often is breast cancer inherited? And on what line? Only through mother to daughter or through father too? For example, what if grandma was sick?
Yes, unfortunately, breast cancer is a genetically predisposed disease. Basically, this genetics is passed on through the mother, so it is advisable for every woman to know whether her mother, grandmother, or mother’s sisters were sick. If yes, there have already been cases of breast cancer in the family, then the woman herself needs, accordingly, to be more attentive to herself and her health. She finds herself at risk.
As for relatives on the father's side, this genetic predisposition is less likely.
Identify predisposition
Is a positive reaction to tumor markers already a diagnosis?
Taking tests for tumor markers won’t hurt, but you shouldn’t focus too much on this, because practice shows that even with a positive reaction, we don’t always find cancer.
Is cancer more likely an acquired disease, that is, a consequence of lifestyle, or is it hereditary - that is, can it happen even to the healthiest person?
It’s hard to say, we don’t know the etiology of breast cancer, because if we knew, we would find a treatment. Most likely, this is a combination of both, genetic predisposition, and poor lifestyle. As sad as it may be, the disease can also occur in a healthy person.
It has long been proven that survival with a diagnosis of breast cancer depends on the size of the formation itself. That is, the less education, the higher the survival rate. Science has proven that a tumor grows from one cell to 1 cm within 8 years, and this is a pattern. What happens to the tumor later when its size is more than 1 cm - this process can develop unpredictably and rapidly. The growth of the tumor may stop, that is, the tumor itself may not develop, but metastases will appear.
Survival is primarily affected by the size of the tumor: the smaller it is, the treatment is more effective and more likely survival. The main task of mammography is to detect preclinical forms of cancer that are not detected either during clinical examination or palpation.
Treatment
It all depends on the size of the tumor; for treatment there is surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Typically, cancer treatment is a set of measures that is developed by specialists in each specific case. Doctors decide this issue collectively; a surgeon, chemotherapist, and radiation specialist take part in prescribing treatment. The main goal of doctors is not to harm the woman.
What preventative measures should every woman take?
The main prevention is self-control, because the sooner a woman notices abnormalities and neoplasms and the sooner she consults a doctor, the sooner the necessary measures will be taken.
Hereditary breast cancer
Hereditary breast cancer
Hereditary breast cancer
Breast cancer is considered the most common cause of death among gynecological diseases. Despite innovative diagnostic methods, most women see a doctor in the last stages of cancer.
About 10% of breast cancers are considered hereditary and are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (suppressor genes), the initial task of which is to regulate the growth of breast cells and prevent the formation of cancer cells.
Genes that influence the risk of hereditary breast cancer can be passed on to the child from both the father and mother. If at least one parent has this gene, the probability of transmission is about 50%. In this case, the risk of the formation of a malignant neoplasm depends on the specifics of the altered gene and its manifestation in the family history, as well as the characteristics of the human body, and, as a rule, is 45-85%.
Hereditary breast cancer in most cases affects young women and is manifested and treated in the same way as other types of oncology.
Mutation of suppressor genes can occur due to the influence of various factors on cells, including radiation, hormone levels, toxins and other unknown causes.
However, there is no family history of the disease in most women with breast cancer. Identifying the connection between gene mutations and family predisposition makes it possible to reduce the risk of developing the disease, as well as to identify and treat pathology in the early stages.
Chances of hereditary breast cancer
The likelihood of hereditary breast cancer in the presence of abnormal genes depends on the following conditions:
- Close relatives (grandmother, aunt, mother, sister) had cancer before the age of 50,
- Detection of cancer of both mammary glands in a close relative,
- Availability malignant tumor breasts or ovaries from a relative,
- Detection of breast cancer in a close male relative.
But the identification of mutated genes in one family member does not indicate their presence in all relatives. This form of cancer is considered less aggressive compared to non-hereditary breast cancer.
Women without the hereditary mutation have about a 12% chance of developing a breast cancer by age ninety, while women with the mutated genes have a closer to 85% chance of developing hereditary breast cancer by age seventy. With such abnormal changes, the likelihood of other malignant neoplasms increases.
It should be noted that not all women with mutated suppressor genes develop oncology - the likelihood of the disease depends on factors such as lifestyle, environment, and the production of a special protein by other genes that prevent the formation of blast cells.
Hereditary breast cancer in men
Men with abnormal suppressor genes have a 6% increased risk of breast cancer, which is several times higher than men without abnormal genes. The risk of skin and gastrointestinal cancer also increases.
Gene abnormalities and breast cancer
Normal suppressor genes produce a protein that controls the growth and development of breast cells and also prevents tumor formation. Cells have 2 copies of such genes, with the exception of germ cells. With normal functioning of at least one of the copies of such genes, the likelihood of oncology is minimal. However, when both copies are mutated, an anomaly occurs that prevents the genes from performing their functions. This leads to the fact that the cell cannot produce protein and the gland tissue begins to grow and divide uncontrollably.
What to do if there is a high probability of hereditary breast cancer
The patient’s desire to undergo genetic analysis may be due to fear of getting sick or the presence of cases of cancer in the family. An experienced geneticist at our Breast Center helps prepare a three-generation family tree, after which the nature of breast cancer in the pedigree is analyzed.
The family pedigree is distributed as follows:
- Sporadic. The disease is irregular. This type occurs in 70%;
- Family. Cases of cancer run in families are more common, but it is impossible to accurately determine the heredity of the disease. This type occurs in 20%;
- Hereditary. The pedigree shows the connection between cancer tumors in each generation. This species occurs in 10%.
If the presence of abnormal suppressor genes is confirmed during a genetic examination, a woman is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, control weight, and also visit a gynecologist annually to examine the ovaries, perform control tests for ultrasound examination of the breast and pelvis, and take blood tests for CA-125. Some women are prescribed prophylactic tamoxifen. In some cases, prophylactic mastectomy (removal of the breast) and removal of the ovaries are recommended for patients with abnormal genes.
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Is breast cancer hereditary?
Alas, not only blood type and eye color are inherited: illnesses also happen to hang over the baby’s crib like a sword of Damocles. Insidious, sinister. Sometimes you read a letter of confession and see only doom: cancer is an inevitability, there are no options, because you are already a grandmother and a mother. In fact, oncologists are increasingly talking about the role of heredity, especially when it comes to breast cancer. On the one hand, here the influence of genetics has been clearly proven and best studied; scientists know by sight many bad genes. On the other hand, the problem is colossal. Every year, more than 1 million women in the world get breast cancer! In Belarus - about 3.5 thousand! And how do you order their blood relatives to act, who at the end of a day full of troubles will suddenly sit down and think about their fate too? Run to a mammologist? Curse fate?
“First of all, don’t be discouraged, even if your sister gets breast cancer!” - calls on Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Leonid PUTYRSKY.
First, let's understand the terms. Breast cancer comes in different forms. Sporadic (that is, acquired when it occurs, for example, due to injury), hereditary and “familial”. In general, family history explains about a quarter of all cases of breast cancer. But “familial” cancer is one thing, which depends on a wide variety of factors. Let's say, a mother and daughter can get sick one after another because they have the same lifestyle: work is a lot of hassle, the family eats fatty foods, they move little, hence obesity, hormonal disorders, which often act as a catalyst for malignant neoplasms. Or there is a hazardous industry located near the house. There was even a case described when all the residents of an apartment suffered from cancer one by one - as it turned out, the culprit was the concrete panels, which were covered with crushed stone with high radiation. As soon as a person moves to another place or changes his usual lifestyle, the family threat recedes. Another thing is hereditary cancer associated with mutations in genes: it accounts for 5 - 10 percent of cases of breast tumors. These mutations are transmitted both on the maternal and paternal lines, but only every second child is at risk of inheriting them.
Then there is a very high chance that the “program” will be launched. It is believed that mutations in the 13th (BRCA-2 gene) and 17th (BRCA-1) chromosomes are responsible for 90 - 92 percent of hereditary breast cancer. And if the risk of developing breast cancer throughout the life of any Belarusian woman is only 1 - 2 percent, then for a woman with the BRCA-1 gene it is 65 - 80 percent (plus ovarian cancer - up to 62 percent), and with the BRCA-2 gene - 45 - 85 and 11 - 23 percent, respectively. Moreover, in men with BRCA-2, the risk of breast cancer also increases 200 (!) times. Don’t be surprised, we see about 30 such patients a year! The likelihood of prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancer, as well as head and neck tumors, seriously increases. Such sinister mutations occur in approximately one person out of every 800 to 1,000. Moreover, in different countries- Iceland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Spain - as it turns out, have their own picture. Ashkenazi Jews are most susceptible to this type of cancer. Why and what causes mutations in general is unknown to science. There are also no exact figures and “maps” for Belarus yet. We are still at the beginning of our journey.
Is it true that hereditary cancer is more evil?
Alas. It occurs earlier - on average, not at 52 - 53 years old, as is sporadic, but before 50, even before forty. And the process occurs more aggressively in young people.
Leonid Alekseevich, the picture turns out to be sad. Why do you advise not to panic?
Because not every woman whose sister or mother has breast cancer, the threat is so real. You need to think about it, firstly, if at least three women in your family have already had breast or ovarian cancer, and one was under 50. Secondly, if two family members under 40 have had breast cancer and (or) ovarian cancer. Thirdly, if the same relative suffers from both types of malignant tumor. And fourthly, if breast cancer is diagnosed in one of the men. These moments may suggest that the disease is hereditary! Then I would advise you to contact a mammologist, undergo genetic counseling, if you wish, genetic testing at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Oncology and Medical Radiology. But not every woman wants to know her future!
She may have her own reason: “Why be upset? You can’t argue with genetics anyway!”
There are several options. For example, if a woman gave birth to as many children as she wanted, then both glands can be removed and prostheses installed. Frankly, this is not a very popular solution. Women resist primarily for cosmetic reasons. In addition, statistics still do not give a 100% guarantee: 1 - 2 percent of patients, even after such a radical step, will develop breast cancer. But do not forget that any of them has hope that, even with the BRCA-1 gene, she will fall into those lucky 15 - 35 percent who will be able to avoid the disease! The second way is to take the anti-estrogen tamoxifen. This is also a double-edged sword. It has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer in the other breast. But whether it is able to prevent the disease at all is a question, although millions of American women began to take this drug out of fear. And, finally, the third way - again, if the woman has fulfilled her “demographic program,” remove the ovaries after 35 years. Thus, we dispel two threats at once - both ovarian cancer and breast cancer. And yet, in my opinion, the main thing is to carefully monitor yourself and never, no matter how the circumstances develop, never give up!
80 percent of Belarusian women with breast cancer see doctors at stages 1 and 2 of the disease.
Doctor PUTYRSKY advises:
Are you alright
The ominous BRCA-1 and 2 were not found - this is not a reason to behave carelessly. A mutation may occur in your link. That's why.
Once a month, on the 6th - 12th day of the menstrual cycle, perform a self-examination of the mammary glands according to the following algorithm. First, look at the shape of your breasts, skin and nipples, then raise your arms up and look at yourself from the front and on each side. While standing, press down on your chest with your three middle fingers. Start your inspection from the top quarter and move clockwise. Then squeeze each nipple individually between the large and index fingers: Is there any fluid coming out? Continue the examination in a lying position - again in a circle, every quarter in order. Finally, feel the lymph nodes in the armpit area.
Once a year you should be seen by a mammologist, after 40 years - twice as often. Once a year, young women are supposed to have an ultrasound of the breast, after 45 - once every year and a half, mammography.
Don't exaggerate the capabilities of mammography! At one time, having introduced mammography screening, the Americans joyfully proclaimed: “Okay, you don’t have to teach the ladies anymore, don’t scare them, just let them come for an annual examination!” But it turned out that everything is not so simple. There are especially aggressive tumors that out of nothing grow up to 2 cm in 3 - 4 months. And if the woman herself is not on her guard, then... Therefore, monthly self-examination has been rehabilitated in America. And in Belarus, 75 percent of breast tumors are found by women themselves. Sometimes it is the size of a tiny pea.
You have a bad mutation
If you have a hereditary predisposition, first of all, reduce to a minimum the importance in your life of those factors that also provoke breast cancer. In other words, you must definitely quit smoking, abuse alcohol, get married and have your first child at a young age. It has been proven that giving birth at age 20 reduces the risk by 1.5 times.
Start mammography examinations early - before the age of 35. We can recommend - after consultation with a doctor - magnetic resonance imaging starting from 25 - 30, ultrasound - twice a year. So cancer, of course, cannot be prevented or delayed, but “catching” it at the earliest stage, when it is best treated, is already a big deal.
Cancer is one of the most terrible diseases that can affect any person. They are usually called malignant tumors that form in various parts of the body.
How does cancer appear?
Doctors believe that the occurrence of cancer is a confluence of internal and external factors. The first means a significant decrease in the level of nonspecific immunity that every person has, and the second means exposure to harmful substances and the genetic mutations that arise from them.
Cells mutate, their atypical division begins, and benign and malignant tumors are formed. The first ones either do not interfere with a person in any way, or they can be removed without consequences for the body. But malignant tumors are cancer. There are many types of this disease. Some can be cured, some are fatal in the vast majority of cases.
For what exact reason cancer may eventually develop, no one knows. There is no exact answer to this question. Therefore, many people are concerned about how cancer is transmitted. Is it possible to become infected by contact from a patient? Is cancer inherited? No, you cannot get cancer through airborne droplets, and yes, there is a risk of getting such genes.
Cancer is an inheritance
Cancer has robbed many people of their nearest and dearest. So many innocent children are suffering from this terrible disease! You involuntarily ask yourself this question: “What if a newly born child develops this disease, because there were relatives who suffered from oncology?” After all, no one can give a 100% guarantee that a person will not have this pathology.
There are families who are so afraid that their future baby will inherit cancer that they refuse to have children at all.
People who have been able to overcome a serious illness in themselves, in most cases, do not decide to plan a pregnancy.
Cancer and children
Children are characterized by types of cancer that do not occur in adults, and vice versa.
Scientists are confident that the genetic component is to blame for the development of cancer. After many studies, it was determined that in the vast majority of cases, childhood cancer begins to develop during the prenatal period. They are associated with either genetic abnormalities. So far, scientists cannot give a definite answer to the question of how genetic pathologies manifest themselves, but research in this area has been going on for a very long time.
The mutation affects the formation of organs, and the formation of body tissues is also disrupted. The high activity of children's metabolism leads to the rapid development of tumors.
The most common cases in children are hereditary predisposition to two types of cancer: nephroblastoma and retinoblastoma. Often the tumor is accompanied by defects of various organs. Sometimes they are multiple.
Future parents can find out what the likelihood is that their child will inherit cancer. Leading geneticists closely involved in the study of this disease have developed a cancer test that will show the percentage probability of transmitting the disease.
The need for genetic counseling
So, is cancer inherited? Even one case of cancer in the family gives reason to worry about your own health and what it will be like in future children. As preventative measures, you should lead a healthy lifestyle and undergo regular examinations.
If cancer of the same type occurs in more than one person in the family, you should consult an oncologist and a geneticist. All family members are at risk. Timely measures can prevent the disease. Or regular screenings will detect cancer at an early stage.
Disease Research
Some people seriously think about how cancer is transmitted, and whether they will become infected by communicating with a sick person. This behavior is unfounded, since you cannot catch oncology through sexual contact or airborne transmission.
Common factors for the development of tumors are:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Carcinogens in some substances.
- Viral infections.
- Stress and nervous tension.
Frequent hereditary neoplasms
Some families have a mutated gene that leads to cases of a certain type of cancer. The most common types:
- Breast cancer. This type is the most common female cancer. A hereditary mutation of the BRK1 and BRK2 genes gives 95% of the risk that a woman will develop this malignant process. A predisposition to cancer, that is, if direct relatives had such a disease, doubles the risk.
- Ovarian cancer. Until recently, scientists were confident that if the disease was diagnosed in elderly patients, it meant that it was not transmitted at the genetic level. Not long ago, German scientists refuted this claim. It does not matter at what age the malignant tumor was diagnosed. Its presence means that the risk of developing the disease in direct relatives doubles.
- Stomach cancer and lesion digestive system. 10% of all types of these diseases are familial. The impetus for the development of a tumor is inflammation of the gastric mucosa and the formation of ulcers.
- This type of malignant tumor is the most common. Smoking increases the chance of getting the disease, as tobacco smoke provokes cellular mutation. Scientists from England were able to determine that this type of tumor also shows a high familial tendency. The impetus for the development of the disease is the patient’s smoking. If the disease is detected at an early stage, it can be cured. At the last stage it is already
- This neoplasm is not considered hereditary, but if a man has been diagnosed with this disease, the risk of predisposition in direct relatives becomes high.
- Colon cancer. Most often, this neoplasm is independent. Genetic predisposition is noted in 30% of cases when intestinal polyposis is inherited. These can be both benign and malignant tumors. At some point in life, polyps transform and become cancerous.
- If a person was exposed to radiation as a child, there is a high probability of developing this type of cancer.
Substances that cause tumors
Experts identify a number of substances that cause genetic mutations in humans. Previously, one substance was already named - tobacco smoke. Also, neoplasms can develop due to the patient inhaling chemical fumes, in particular asbestos. Air pollution increases the risk of getting a malignant tumor.
Highly active radiation leads to cell mutation and, as a consequence, to the development of cancer.
IN modern society Many genetically modified products are produced. Their frequent use can lead to mutation of body cells and the formation of tumors.
papilloma virus
This type of virus can lead to the development of such a disease, as Scientists have proven a direct connection between them. And now, when asked about how cancer is transmitted, we can confirm with a small degree of certainty that it can also be transmitted sexually. Human papillomavirus infection is caught in this way. There is no need to be afraid - the risk of developing the disease is very small, since almost every second person already has this virus.
If many types of cancer occur with a deterioration in general health, then this one is asymptomatic. The disease develops after a rapid and significant decrease in immunity. Scientists have developed a vaccine that can prevent this disease, but it is only allowed to be administered to those who have not started sexual activity.
Stress
Nervous tension can contribute to the formation of cancer. The tumor arises due to severe inhibition of all the body’s defense systems and subsequent physiological mutations.
Oncological genetics
Scientists are tirelessly studying types of cancer and ways to combat the disease. They are developing methods to identify mutated genes that lead to the development of melanoma, breast, gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers.
The Institute of Oncology is developing new tests that make it possible to identify a tendency to the disease and begin treatment. It may be possible in the future to determine cancer risk using a routine blood test.
So far, there are many cases where a person learns about cancer only when he already has it. All that doctors can do is administer chemotherapy to slightly slow down the development of the disease and delay the death of the patient.
Finally
Cancer is a terrible disease, but it is not always a death sentence. If the diagnosis is made early and the patient completes the full course of treatment, the likelihood of a full recovery is high. Medicine does not stand still; scientists are developing new ways of early diagnosis of the disease.
It doesn't matter how cancer is transmitted. A genetic predisposition to a disease does not mean that a person will certainly get it. Everyone has cells that, under certain circumstances, become cancerous. Regular examination, a sensitive attitude to your own health, a correct lifestyle - and the disease will not arise.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Actions and information campaigns are being held around the world to draw attention to the problem of diagnosing and treating this disease. This year, the Cancer Prevention Foundation decided to talk about how heredity affects the possibility of breast cancer, and what to do if one of your relatives has been diagnosed with this disease. Our campaign is supported by experts from biomedical companies Atlas and .
Why is breast cancer really worth talking about all month long? Breast cancer is an oncological disease in which the cells of the mammary glands stop working normally: they begin to divide uncontrollably and do not die. This is the second most common type of malignant tumor in the world (after lung cancer). 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed every year. According to the latest data in Russia, breast cancer is the most common cancer pathology among the female population and accounts for 20.9% of the cancer incidence structure (data for 2015).
It is known that in 5-10% of cases, breast cancer occurs due to genetic mutations that are inherited. Most often, these are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; they significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. There are other known genes whose breakdowns can lead to the development of breast cancer: TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, ATM, CHEK2, PALB2 and some others. If the average woman has a 5.6% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime, then a woman with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes increases the chance to 70%.
The mutation can be inherited from both mother and father. In this case, it is the high risk of developing cancer that is inherited, and not the disease itself: not all carriers of the mutant gene will necessarily develop cancer.
In addition to breast cancer, carriers of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the likelihood of developing cancer in other organs: the ovaries, pancreas and prostate gland. The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases especially strongly: from 1 to 35%.
In families where mutations are passed on, breast and ovarian cancer are more common than usual. In addition, hereditary forms of cancer develop at a relatively early age. The following features of family history may indicate the carriage of mutations:
Breast cancer up to 45 years old
Two cases of breast cancer in one person
One case of ovarian cancer
Two cases of breast cancer in blood relatives, at least one of which was diagnosed before age 50
Breast cancer in a male first- or second-degree blood relative
If any of the above is typical for your family, then you should consult a geneticist to decide whether genetic testing is necessary. And the test developed by the Cancer Prevention Foundation will help assess the risks of cancer and the need for genetic consultation.
In the world practice of working with patients who have a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, there is the concept of prophylactic mastectomy (removal of healthy mammary glands before they are affected by a possible disease). In some cases, with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, a woman may decide to undergo surgery, which reduces the risk of developing cancer by 90%. This is what Angelina Jolie did, for example, when she was found to have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene.
In Russia, unfortunately, such procedures are treated with caution. Patients at high risk of breast cancer rarely find the opportunity to undergo a mastectomy without traveling abroad. In this case, most often the doctor has to take on additional responsibility and correct the diagnosis so that the operation can be performed within the framework of compulsory medical insurance.
Carrying out genetic testing and consultation with a geneticist does not exclude the need for examinations that are considered most effective in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, for example, mammography. Every year, the Cancer Prevention Foundation conducts 3-5 events for the early detection of breast cancer in regional centers whose programs include this method.
Mammography is considered effective method diagnosis of breast cancer and is recommended annually for women over 40-50 years of age. Women with a genetic predisposition should have mammograms and breast MRIs every year starting at age 30.
If you have health concerns related to a strong history of cancer in your family, get genetic testing and discuss your concerns with a genetic counselor. Fortunately, this is a well-functioning practice in Russia today.
A consultation with a geneticist can be done at the Atlas Medical Center, and genetic testing for predisposition to developing breast cancer and other cancers can be done at the company.
Currently, the majority of hereditary breast cancer cases are associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Generally, abnormalities of the genes involved in the development of breast cancer are most common among women under 40 years of age. In at least 25% of them, the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene abnormality is not associated with heredity. The role of these genes is that they regulate the normal growth of breast cells and prevent possible cancerous growth. But when there are abnormalities or mutations in these genes, they contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer. Abnormality of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may account for 10% of all breast cancer cases. All types of breast cancer are caused by an abnormality of genes in cells. Anomalies (or mutations) in these genes can be either hereditary (that is, transmitted from the mother) or acquired.
Hereditary gene abnormality: Some people may have a gene abnormality from birth. This anomaly is passed on to them from their parents.
Acquired gene abnormality: in other cases, gene mutation occurs due to the influence of various factors on the cell - radiation, diet, levels of sex hormones, toxic environmental factors, or unknown causes. An acquired gene abnormality is considered to be the cause of breast cancer in 85–90%. Regardless of how you received the gene abnormality: as a result of heredity or other factors, if there is at least one normal gene in the cell that continues to work and is responsible for the production of a special protein, it will provide cancer prevention. But if both genes in a cell are affected, the result is breast cancer.
Women with breast cancer who have an abnormality in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes often have a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both. But in addition, it is important to remember that most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of breast cancer. The discovery of an association between breast cancer risk and abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has led to new methods for reducing the risk, detecting and treating breast cancer in such patients.
The abnormal genes were first identified in studies of families where women had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both at a very young age. You are more likely to have abnormal genes for breast cancer if:
- The presence of direct relatives (mother, grandmother, sister, aunt) on the maternal or paternal side who were diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 years.
- Having a relative in your family with breast or ovarian cancer.
- If you have a history of cancer in both breasts in your family.
- If you belong to certain nationalities (for example, Jews from Eastern Europe).
- If there has been a case of male breast cancer in your family.
It should be remembered that if one member of your family has abnormal genes for breast cancer, this does not mean that all family members will have this gene. Let's say your mother or father has abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The risk of inheriting these genes is 50%. In this case, your children will have a 25% risk of adopting these genes from you - that is, 50% of your 50%.
On average, women without an inherited genetic abnormality have a 12% risk of developing breast cancer by age 90. In contrast, women with abnormal genes have an 85% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. In addition, women with this anomaly are at risk of developing ovarian cancer. This lifetime risk is about 55% for women with a BRCA1 gene abnormality and 25% for those with a BRCA2 gene abnormality. By comparison, women without this gene abnormality have a 1.8% risk of developing ovarian cancer. In addition, it is important to note that if you have an abnormality in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the risk of other cancers also increases. However, the risk of developing other types of cancer (for example, skin or gastrointestinal cancer) is much lower than the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Despite the increased risk, it is important to remember that not every woman with an abnormality in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes gets breast cancer. This risk depends on: lifestyle and environmental factors, how other genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 protect your body from cancer, the extent, and how it affects the production of a protein that supposedly protects the breast from cancer.
It should be added that many women mistakenly assume that cancer caused by a hereditary abnormality of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is more aggressive in its course. In fact, as recent studies have confirmed, this type of breast cancer is less aggressive compared to those women who do not have such a hereditary gene abnormality.
Abnormality of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and breast cancer in men
Men who have inherited abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This lifetime risk is 6%. This is almost 80 times higher than the risk of cancer in men without such gene abnormalities. In addition, note that men with an abnormality of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a 3-7 times higher risk of developing prostate cancer. As in the case of women, if this anomaly is present, men have a high risk of developing skin or gastrointestinal cancer, but it is still significantly less than breast cancer.
How a gene abnormality can cause breast
Normally, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes prevent the development of breast cancer by producing a special protein that controls the normal growth of breast cells. As we have already said, in every human cell (women and men) there are 2 copies of genes. The only exceptions are germ cells (there genes are only in “one set”). As long as at least one of the gene copies in the breast cells functions normally and produces the protein mentioned above, the risk of cancer is zero (in the absence of other factors, of course). However, if both copies of genes in a cell undergo a mutation (or an abnormality occurs), the cell can no longer produce the protein needed to control its growth. In this case, breast cells begin to multiply quickly and uncontrollably. Some of these cells can invade healthy tissue (called tissue invasion).
Genetic mutations double the risk of developing breast cancer
British researchers report that they have found a new genetic mutation that may be responsible for doubling the risk of breast cancer. This gene is called BRIP1. Its function, like other genes responsible for the development of breast cancer, is to restore damaged DNA. In addition, like abnormalities of the BRCA2 gene, abnormalities of the BRIP1 gene can lead to a disease such as Fanconi anemia.
Scientists say that breast cancer is twice as common in close relatives (sisters and mothers) of those who suffer from breast cancer.
Mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 10 to 20 times by age 60. Mutations in genes such as CHEK2 and ATM double the risk of breast cancer. Together, these genes increase the risk of developing cancer by 25%.
What to do if the genetic risk is high?
Many women who seek genetic testing do so because they believe their risk of developing breast cancer is higher than they actually are. Another reason for this is that they want to know if they have abnormal genes because they have a history of breast cancer in their family. Women experience particular concern if cancer occurs at an early age. If you decide to undergo a genetic risk assessment, a geneticist will help you prepare what is called a family tree. This will help limit the number of all relatives in each generation. Ideally, such a tree is compiled within three generations back. But often, most of us do not remember or do not know anything about the health status of our relatives older than our grandparents. After compiling such a tree, a geneticist analyzes the nature of breast cancer in the pedigree.
Your family's ancestry can be divided into the following categories:
- Sporadic: This means that breast cancer does not appear regularly in your family. This type of familial manifestation of cancer occurs in 70% of women.
- Familial: This means that breast cancer is more common in your family, but it is not possible to know for sure whether breast cancer is inherited or not. So this type occurs in 20% of cases.
- Hereditary: in this case, the relationship between cancer diseases in each generation is clearly visible in the pedigree. This occurs in only 10% of women. In this case, the inheritance of cancer is explained by the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
What to do after receiving a positive genetic test result
So, what should you do after you have been diagnosed with abnormal genes responsible for the development of breast cancer? It is recommended to carry out regular monitoring of the condition from an early age - from the age of 25 or 10 years earlier than the age at which breast cancer was detected in a member of your family. An excellent method for such diagnosis is MRI.
It is recommended to annually check the condition of the ovaries by a gynecologist, control ultrasound of the pelvic organs and mammary glands, as well as a blood test for the specific marker CA-125. Ask your doctor about taking tamoxifen preventatively. Try to make healthier lifestyle changes: this includes changing your diet, exercising, controlling your body weight, and quitting alcohol and smoking.
Try to plan wisely such moments of your life, such as the birth of children - it is recommended to early pregnancy, as one of the preventive factors, and also avoid any (if possible) need for hormonal therapy. If you do not intend to have children, do not use tablet or injectable forms of hormonal birth control. Instead, use barrier forms (condoms or diaphragms).
Decide on preventative surgery. In women with abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, prophylactic mastectomy and removal of the ovaries can be very helpful.