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| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
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Risk factors for Breast Cancer Questions about breast cancer risk. |
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| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
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| 6/16/2011 | My 52 year old sister (premenopausal) was just diagnosed with IDC. There is no other breast cancer in our family. Does this increase my risk significantly since she developed it premenopausal or just slightly and should I be seen by a breast specialist yearly now? I am 48 and premenopausal and have gone for yearly mammograms since turning 40 at a radiology (not breast)center. Thank You. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 6/17/2011 | Yes it does put you a higher risk, BUT not significant and not a done deal you will get breast cancer. More than 70% of breast cancers occur in women who have absolutely no identifiable risk factors other than being a woman and increasing in age. Breast cancer affects women predominantly after the age of 40. Other factors that can affect breast cancer risk are early menarch and late menopause, late preagnacny (after age 35), prolonged use of hormonal replacement has been associated with breast cancer risk. There are other risk factors as well, so as you can see, each woman is unique and her cancer is unuqie to her. Continue your yearly mammograms, your own breast self awareness exams, and clinical breast exams. You could also consider having a high risk breast assessment by a genetic counselor, and your sister, since she has the cancer, could also consider same along with genetic testing. However, less than 5 to 10% breast cancers result from an inherited genetic mutation. Best wishes! | ||
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