News

  • High Risk Individuals
    • Breast Cancer Survival Gene
      14/04/2010
      QIMR researchers, as part of an international collaboration, have found that a gene that is most commonly associated with skin pigmentation, hair and eye colour may influence a patient's chances of surviving cancer.
      ...more
    • Research News NBCF!
      12/04/2010
      Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered that breast stem cells are exquisitely sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone....
      ...more
    • Should Genes be patented
      5/02/2010
      The lawsuit challenges the government's granting of control of patents on BRCA1 and BRCA2 to Myriad Genetics (USA).
      ...more

I have a Strong Family History

Having a strong family history could be due to a genetic fault - read the following information:

The significance of a family history of breast cancer increases with:

  • the number of family members affected
  • the younger their ages at diagnosis
  • the closer the affected relatives are related to you.

The increase in risk is fairly small unless there are three or more first or second-degree relatives on the same side of the family with breast or ovarian cancer. It is important to note that a family history on your father’s side is just as important as it is on your mother’s side of the family.

The risk is stronger if two or more relatives have other characteristics associated with increased risk, such as being diagnosed before age 50 or being of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Although women who have one or more first-degree relatives with a history of breast cancer are at increased risk, most will never develop breast cancer. Of those women with a family history who do develop breast cancer, most will be older than 50 years when their cancer is diagnosed.

Despite the importance of family history as a risk factor, eight out of nine women who develop breast cancer do not have an affected mother, sister or daughter. 

If you are concerned that your strong family history may be linked to a Genetic Fault (BRCA1/2) and would like to get tested please refer to our Eligibility Criteria for Testing page and consult your GP or Family Cancer Centre.

Women at an increased risk of breast cancer

For women of all ages who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer it is recommended that an individualised surveillance program be developed in consultation with the woman’s general practitioner and/or specialist. This might include regular clinical breast examination and breast imaging with mammography and/or ultrasound. Women should also be aware of the normal look and feel of their breasts and report any changes promptly to their general practitioner or specialist irrespective of whether they are having regular follow-up tests/examinations.

 Information source: National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre