Breast and Ovarian Cancer
· Genetics
and Heredity
· Risk
Facotors for Breast Cancer
· Lifetime
Risk of Getting Breast Cancer
· Predisposition
to Cancer – Women at Risk
· Predisposition
to Cancer – Men at Risk
· Symptoms
of Breast Cancer
· Cancer
Statistics
· Prevention,
Testing, and other Resources
Genetics and Heredity
Ashkenazi Jewish women have been found to possess genetic markers for both breast
and ovarian cancers at a high frequency rate, precipitating a call for genetic
testing for all breast and ovarian cancer victims.
Between 5%-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, meaning it is due to a
gene change passed through the family. The breast cancer itself is not hereditary,
but an increased predisposition can be, in individuals carrying either of two
genes on chromosomes 17 (BRCA1) and 13 (BRCA2). It is an autosomal dominant
condition. This means that it is not a sex chromosome, and it does not require
both parents contributing the gene for it to predispose the child to the disease.
In general, the greater the number of affected relatives and the closer the
biologic relationship, the greater the risk.
A woman with a gene change has a 60%-85% lifetime chance of developing breast
cancer, and a 15%-60% lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer, depending
on the gene.
It is estimated that one out of every 50 Ashkenazic Jews carries a mutant
copy of either BRCA1 or BRCA2. Although other types of mutations in BRCA1 and
BRCA2 do exist in the general population, the two specific mutations associated
with Ashkenazic Jews have not been found in the non-Jewish population.
Most startling is that women who inherit mutant forms of BRCA1 may have up to
an 85% risk of contracting breast cancer and a 44% risk of contracting ovarian
cancer in their lifetimes. This compares with an overall 12% risk of breast
cancer and 1% risk of ovarian cancer in the general population.
Known
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
· Personal history of a prior breast
cancer
· BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations - specific
genetic change or mutation that increases susceptibility to breast cancer
· Mother, sister, daughter, or two
or more close relatives, such as cousins, with a history of breast cancer (especially
if diagnosed at a young age)
· A diagnosis of a breast condition
(i.e., atypical hyperplasia) that may predispose a woman to breast cancer
· A history of two or more breast
biopsies for benign breast disease
· Women who receive chest irradiation
for conditions such as Hodgkin's disease at age 30 or younger, remain at higher
risk for breast cancer throughout their lives.
Lifetime
Risk
The following illustrates women's lifetime risk of getting breast cancer.
Source: National Cancer Institute
· By Age 30 - one in 2,525
· By Age 40 - one in 217
· By Age 50 - one in 50
· By Age 60 - one in 24
· By Age 70 - one in 14
· By Age 80 - one in 10
Predisposition
to Breast and Ovarian Cancer-Women at Risk
Does every woman with an altered breast cancer gene get cancer? - A woman
with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 alteration is more likely to develop breast or ovarian
cancer than is a woman without an alteration. However, not every woman who has
an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will get breast or ovarian cancer, because genes
are not the only factor that effect cancer risk. Therefore, an altered gene
is not sufficient to cause cancer.
Most cases of breast cancer do not involve an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. At
most, one in 10 breast cancer cases involves an inherited altered gene, and
not all inherited breast cancer involves BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Predisposition
to Breast Cancer – Men at Risk
Do men with an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have an increased cancer risk?
- Although breast cancer is rare even in men with an altered gene, men with
an altered BRCA2 gene have higher rates of breast cancer than men without an
altered gene.
Men with an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene may also have a slightly increased risk
of prostate cancer.
Important Note: Even if a man never develops cancer, he can pass the
altered gene to his sons and daughters.
Symptoms
of Breast Cancer
Cancerous Lumps
· A distinct, stony, hard lump that
feels like a hardened pea or bean in your breast
· Immobile mass that does not move
freely in the breast
· Lump anchored in surrounding tissues;
tissues move when you move the lump
· Lumps are non-painful 90 percent
of the time
· Usually occurs as only one
lump in one breast. Very rarely will breast cancer appear as several
lumps
Inverted nipple
· A nipple that inverts in a previously
normal breast.
Areola
· Color of the circle around the
nipple changes.
Skin changes
· A rash on one breast, redness,
a bump or sore
· Skin that looks like an orange
peel
· Skin dimpling - pulling of the
skin
· Bulging of the skin - a swelling
of one area of the breast that changes the shape of the breast.
Vein changes
· An increase in the size or number
of veins on one side of the chest
Breast pain
· All recurring breast pain needs
evaluation to determine cause.
· Most breast pain is not associated
with cancer, rather it is caused by monthly female hormones produced by
the body. However, breast pain may be caused by cancer, and therefore a recurring
pain should be evaluated by a physician.
Breast discharge
· Though it may be due to hormonal
imbalances, a response to medication, it may also be caused cancer and should
be evaluated.
Cancer
Victims – National Statistics
Breast cancer ranks just behind lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death
for women. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in
15-34 and 35-54 age groups and the second cause of cancer death for women aged
55-74.
Read more about prevention, testing, and other resources for Breast and Ovarian Cancers. Click Here!