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Environment vs. genetic risk?

Page last modified on: August 26, 2008
Question from BerniceT: Although science has only discovered BRCA1 and BRCA2, is it likely that all breast cancers are caused by an as-yet-undiscovered gene mutation? Or does environment alone cause breast cancer? I tested negative for 1 and 2, but still wonder if it was caused by some other unknown defective gene. I want to know what advice to give my daughter once she has grown up.
Answer —Carol Cherry, M.S.N., R.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.: I think that we believe most cancers come from a series of events that are gene and environment-interaction-based. Lots of research is taking place to more fully understand these complex events. Depending on the age of your daughter now, by the time she grows up, we may have a much better understanding of all the factors that lead to development of cancer.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Cancer Risk and Your Family. Carol Cherry, M.S.N., R.N., A.P.R.N., B.C. and Terri McHugh, M.D. answered your questions about how family genes affect risk, pros and cons of genetic testing, and ways to lower your breast cancer risk.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Carol Cherry, M.S.N., R.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.Carol Cherry, M.S.N, R.N., A.P.R.N, B.C. is health educator, Research Project Manager, and Cancer Risk Counselor in the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Pennsylvania.

Terri McHugh, M.D. is a medical oncologist/hematologist and director of the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics program.

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