This is the perfect time to assess your risks for developing Breast Cancer and knowing your family history is a start. Does your family have a history of breast cancers, ovarian cancer, cancer clusters or other indicators of a possible inherited increased risk? Complete our Hereditary Cancer Quiz to determine if you should seek genetic counseling and potentially testing to quantify your risk level.
In the United States:
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
- Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
- Although more rare, it is estimated that 2,600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
- On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 2 minutes.
- Approximately every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
- Women and men of Ashkenazi Jewish Heritage are at higher risk of inheriting the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- There are over 2.8 million breast cancer survivors alive in the US!
While only 5-10% of breast cancers are attributed to a faulty gene, knowing if you have an inherited predisposition allows you to take preventive actions to either avoid cancer all together or discover cancer at a very early stage to improve your chances of survival. Women and men who meet the criteria for genetic testing should meet with a genetic counselor to ascertain whether this is the appropriate course of action for them.
Men and women with a family history that indicates a predisposition for any cancers now have the option of taking charge of their future health decisions by determining their exact risks through genetic counseling and potentially testing. Knowledge is power and knowing your genetic makeup gives you knowledge to take a proactive approach to your healthcare decisions and those of your family. Not only can men and women inherit the genetic mutation for breast cancer they can pass that along to their children.
This October, take a minute to complete the Hereditary Cancer Quiz and begin your journey of knowing and responding to your possible genetic predisposition to inherited cancers.
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