For women everywhere, breast cancer is a scary diagnosis. It can strike at any age, and it can often feel like there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. When breast cancer runs in the family, that fear is even greater.

But just how much is genetics to blame when it comes to who gets breast cancer and who doesn’t? The answer is complex, but it’s one that researchers have been investigating for years.

What Is Hereditary Breast Cancer?

When we talk about breast cancer running in the family, we’re often referring to hereditary breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.

These genes are responsible for producing proteins that help suppress tumors. When these genes are mutated, they can no longer do their job properly, and the risk of developing breast cancer increases.

About 5-10% of all breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, which means they’re caused by inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.

Women who carry one of these mutations have a much greater risk of developing breast cancer than women who don’t. In fact, women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to an 87% chance of developing breast cancer over their lifetime, compared to just 12% for women in the general population.

What Are the Other Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

While hereditary breast cancer is certainly a concern for women who have a family history of the disease, it’s important to remember that there are many other risk factors that can contribute to breast cancer as well.

Some of the most common risk factors include:.

Age – Breast cancer risk increases with age
Gender – Women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than men
Alcohol consumption – Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer
Hormone replacement therapy – Taking hormones to treat menopause symptoms can increase the risk of breast cancer
Being overweight or obese – Excess body fat can increase the risk of breast cancer
Physical inactivity – Women who don’t get enough exercise may have a higher risk of breast cancer

It’s important to note that having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop breast cancer. Likewise, not having any risk factors doesn’t guarantee that you won’t develop breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a complex disease, and there are still many things that researchers don’t fully understand about it.

How Is Hereditary Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

If you have a family history of breast cancer, or if you’re concerned about your risk for the disease, there are a few things you can do to help protect your health.

One of the most important steps you can take is to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and whether you should consider genetic testing.

Genetic testing can help identify whether you have a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that puts you at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

If you do carry one of these mutations, your doctor can work with you to develop a plan to help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer or catch it early if it does develop.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that genetic testing isn’t right for everyone. For some women, the potential benefits of testing may not outweigh the risks or the emotional impact of a positive result.

Your doctor can help you decide whether genetic testing is right for you based on your individual situation.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

While there’s no surefire way to prevent breast cancer, there are several things you can do to help lower your risk. Some of the most effective strategies include:.

Getting regular mammograms – Mammograms can help detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable
Limiting alcohol consumption – Drinking in moderation or not at all can help lower your risk of breast cancer
Maintaining a healthy weight – Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of breast cancer, so staying within a healthy weight range is important
Exercising regularly – Getting regular exercise can help lower your risk of breast cancer
Avoiding hormone replacement therapy – If you’re going through menopause, talk to your doctor about non-hormonal treatments for your symptoms (if appropriate)
Managing other health conditions – Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase your risk of breast cancer, so managing them can help reduce your risk

By taking these steps to protect your health, you can help lower your risk of breast cancer and improve your overall wellbeing.

If you have concerns about your risk factors or if you have a family history of breast cancer, be sure to talk to your doctor. They can provide guidance and support to help you stay healthy.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to breast cancer, genetics is just one piece of the puzzle.

While hereditary breast cancer is a concern for women with a family history of the disease, it’s important to remember that many other factors can contribute to breast cancer as well. By working with your doctor to identify your risk factors and taking steps to protect your health, you can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and improve your overall wellbeing.