Is breast cancer inherited?

Sometimes.: It is estimated that approximately 10-15% of all breast cancers in the US are of the hereditary type. These genes can be inherited from either your father or your mother. If a woman inherits this gene, they have a 50-75% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. These cancers tend to occur at any earlier age and may occur in both breasts.

It can be: Even with a family history of breast cancer, the majority of breast cancers are known as "sporadic"; approximately 5-10% of inherited breast cancers are related to a mutation in the brca 1 or brca 2 genes.

Can be: It can be, although the vast majority of women with breast cancer do not have a family history.

Genetics: There is a genetic compnent of risk for breast cancer. It is possible that if particular family members ( Mother, Sister, Grandmother...) have had breast cancer that you are at higher risk for breast cancer. If you have a concern about this, please discuss your risk and what you can do about it with your family doctor or surgeon.

Yes: As many as 10-15% of all breast cancers in the US are of the hereditary type. This has been studied quite extensively and mutations to a specific gene, called the BRCA gene, is linked to this risk. These mutations may be found with the use of a simple blood test.

Absolutely: The major genes that are talked about are brca1 and 2. The risk of cancer is high enough that carriers of the gene will elect for bilateral mastectomy before even finding cancer. If one family member is a carrier, others should be tested. It is also associated with higher rates of male cancer.

The risk can: Breast cancer itself is not passed down, but the risk for developing breast cancer can be inherited. Mutations in genes called brca1 and brca2 can be passed from a parent to a child. These inherited mutations increase the risk of developing breast cancer dramatically. A person with a brca mutation may have a 50% or higher chance of developing breast cancer, but it's not 100%.

Yes/no: Cancer is not inherited but you can inherit certain genetic changes that make it more likely to get breast cancer (and others as well). About 1 in 10 breast cancers have an inherited component, most due to brca 1 or 2. Other genes can also be at play, like p53, pten, stk11, atm and others. Discuss this with your doc and see if you would benefit of a visit with a cancer geneticist.

Sort of: There are certain genes that tend to run in families that can significantly increase your risk of breast cancer. That's why your hear about some families with several women having breast cancer and others with just one.