| Breast
and Ovarian Cancer |
Help Your Family Understand
Their Risk |
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By Amy Adams, MS
Reviewed
by Miriam Komaromy, MD
Last updated February 2, 2001
If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, you may be concerned about your other family members. It turns out that there are several things you can do to help your family understand their risk of cancer.
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Know Your Risk
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People with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are at higher risk of developing either disease than people in the general population. This is especially true if your first-degree relatives — parents, children, or siblings — have either type of cancer. The risk decreases if it's only your aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents with the disease because you share fewer genes with these more distant relatives. If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, everyone who is a blood relative (not a step parent, or aunt or uncle by marriage, for example) should be made aware of their risk.
You and your relatives can determine your level of risk using Genetic Health's risk assessment tools. You can also see a genetic counselor, who can help your family understand their risk level and options.
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Follow Screening Guidelines
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If breast and ovarian cancer runs in your family, then all family members should be screened regularly for the diseases. How often each person is screened depends on their level of risk, and on what each person's doctor recommends.
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Stay Informed
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If you learn that you are at increased risk of cancer or have been treated for cancer, you will want to be informed of any new developments that might help prevent or treat the disease. One way to do this is to join Genetic Health: One of the benefits of membership is that we'll provide you with easily digestible summaries of the latest research and medical developments, tailored to convey the news that's pertinent to you and your family.
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Participate in Research
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By participating in ongoing studies, women can try promising new approaches to both screening and prevention. In addition, they can help others by furthering the medical and scientific communities' understanding of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
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References
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Burke W. et al. (1997) Recommendations for follow-up care of individuals with an inherited predisposition to cancer. JAMA. 277:997-1003.
US Preventative Services Task Force (1996) Guide to clinical preventive services. (2nd ed.) Alexandria, VA: International Medical Publishing.
Smith RA et al. (2000). American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. CA Cancer J Clin. 50(1):34-49.
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