Week 3

Many factors contribute to having cancer and more people are susceptible than others. One factor is genetics and knowing whether or not there is a family history is very important. There are two genes that have been associated with most types of inherited breast cancer and they are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which stands for breast cancer gene one and two. "The function of these genes is to keep breast cells growing normally and to prevent any cancer cell growth. But when these genes contain abnormalities, or mutations, they are associated with an increased breast cancer risk." A family history of Ovarian cancer can also account for the risk of breast cancer. There are now tests that can be done in order to check for these genes so precautions can be taken earlier in advance. Genetics is a factor in having breast cancer, but it is not the main one. The main factor of developing breast cancer is simply being a woman. Another factor is age, usually women are diagnosed around the age of 50. These three factors cannot be changed or altered in any way.

"But hereditary breast cancer - caused by a mutant gene passed from parents to their children - is rare. Estimates of the incidence of hereditary breast cancer range from between 5 to 10 percent to as many as 27 percent of all breast cancers."

"Hereditary breast cancer is suspected when there is a strong family history of breast cancer: occurrences of the disease in at least three first or second-degree relatives (sisters, mothers, aunts). Currently the only tests available are DNA tests to determine whether an individual in such a high-risk family has a genetic mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes."

http://www.genome.gov/10000507