Is breast cancer hereditary?

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Hereditary Breast Cancer

According to the National Institutes of Health, breast cancer can be a hereditary condition. However, hereditary breast cancer only accounts for 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases involving inherited gene mutations. Hereditary breast cancers often occur in younger women and involve both breasts. Regardless, when the family history is strong for development of breast cancer, a woman's risk is increased.

Answer

There are tests (BRCA 1,2 and 3) to see if you have a genetic link for breast cancer. However, having one of these marks will not tell if and when you will get breast cancer. There are many other factors for getting breast cancer (estrogen lifetime exposure, alcohol/cigarette use, etc).

Men also have a hereditary risk and those with multiply family members with breast cancer histories should be particularly careful to report changes to their physician.

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