Research News on Risk and Genetics

Research has shown that women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk for developing the disease. That's true whether the family history is on the mother's side or the father's. And it's especially true if the women in the family were diagnosed with the disease before the age of 50.

Some women with a strong family history of the disease have inherited a specific gene abnormality that increases their risk for breast cancer. So far, abnormalities that have been found to have a definite link to an increased risk for breast cancer are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Women who learn through genetic testing that they have abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes face very difficult decisions. Past studies have shown that for such women, breast cancer risk could be as high as 80% to 90% by the age of 70. With such a high risk, many women decide to take preventive measures, including mastectomy, double mastectomy, ovary removal, and tamoxifen therapy. These are all very serious measures that can significantly change a woman's life.

In this section, you can read more about recent research on preventive treatment for women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene abnormalities, including ovary removal, and double mastectomy.

You can also read research reports on how high the risk for women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene abnormalities actually is, and on another gene abnormality that has a strong link to breast cancer.

These research reports are part of the breastcancer.org Research News program.  Our experts examine recent breast cancer research for exciting advances, important updates, and changes in how breast cancer is treated and diagnosed.

We present these studies in easy-to-understand language, explaining their importance, how they were conducted, and what impact the results might have for YOU.

If you'd like to find out about upcoming Research News reports, as well as other important breastcancer.org programs, including Ask-the-Expert Online Conferences, we encourage you to sign up for free email updates.