Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
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Concerns about Breast Cancer Family History Questions on genetics, family history & breast cancer. |
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| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
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| 3/7/2012 | I have a mom living with dcis diagnosed at age 61 . Her sister diagnosed at age 60 with breast cancer and then dcis in the other breast at age 62 . My aunt also had lcis .my aunts genetic testing is negative. No other cases of breast or any other cancer in the family. Their mother still living at the age of 85 . I had a intraductal papilloma and florid hyperplasia without atypia . Do I need prophylactic mastectomy or chemo prevention? And also what is my risk of getting breast cancer ? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/8/2012 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. Make an appointment with a breast high risk specialist to evaluate your individual risk based on your personal and family history. There are non-surgical risk reduction measures for women deemed high risk. A women's risk of breast cancer does increase as we age, so we are more concerned when we see a family with several pre-menopausal women <40 with breast cancer. You ask do you NEED a mastectomy-probably not, and there are certainly both physical and mental 'side' effects to deal with any time one has major surgery. And one's risk of developing breast cancer, while decreased, does not go to zero, with a mastectomy. Practice healthy living lifestyle, with diet, exercise and keep vigilant about your yearly mammograms, clinical breast exams and your own breast self awareness. Hope this helps, and best wishes. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.