Breast Health and Mammograms

Genetic testing can help you make important decisions about your care by helping you understand your personal and family risk of developing breast cancer. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary, meaning they run in the family.

In many cases, inherited cases of breast cancer (as well as ovarian cancer) are linked to changes in one or both of the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) genes. Each year, about 16,000 cases of new breast and ovarian cancer occur in people with changes in these genes.

Should I get genetic testing to determine my breast cancer risk?

You should consider genetic testing for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene if you or a family member have/had:

• A history of cancer of the breast, ovary or fallopian tube
• Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50
• Multiple breast cancers in the family
• Male breast cancer in the family
• Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity
• Family history of prostate cancer or pancreatic cancer

Although breast cancer can develop in anyone, there are several factors you can control to help minimize your risk, including:

Obesity: Being obese can increase your risk for many types of cancer, including breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, postmenopausal women who are obese are 20 to 40 percent more likely to develop breast cancer compared to women who maintain a healthy body weight.

Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. The risk increases based on the amount of alcohol you consume: Heavy drinkers have a higher risk than light drinkers.

Exercise: In addition to its many other health benefits, regular exercise can lower your risk of developing breast cancer, as the American Cancer Society notes. You should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise each week, ideally with your activity spread throughout the week.

Breastfeeding: Although researchers are unsure of the reasons, multiple studies have shown that women who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast cancer.

Hormone Use After Menopause: As the American Cancer Society notes, researchers have found that taking certain types of hormones as part of hormone-replacement therapy to ease menopause symptoms is linked to an increased risk for developing breast cancer. These types of hormones are also linked to an increased chance for cancers that are larger and that have spread beyond the breast when they are discovered.