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Breast cancer also passed on father's side?

Page last modified on: October 9, 2008

Question from MarkH: Can breast cancer be passed on from father to daughter if there has been some history in the family on the father's side?: Answers —Lynn Schuchter, M.D.: Yes, absolutely. We used to think only the mother's family history was relevant. The 2 breast cancer genes BRCA I and BRCA II can be passed from the mother's or the father's side, so a father's family history of cancer is totally relevant. So yes, hereditary breast cancer can be passed from the father's side. There is a greater risk of prostate cancer in families with BRCA mutations, and also male breast cancer is seen in the BRCA II mutation families. So when doctors ask for family history of cancer, we want information from both your mother and father.; Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.: Great points! Thank you very much.

On Wednesday, April 19, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Young Women and Breast Cancer. Lynn Schuchter, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions about the special concerns of young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

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

Schuchter, Lynn Lynn Schuchter, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and melanoma at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

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