Hereditary Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Approximately 5-10% of breast cancer is hereditary, which means it is caused by an inherited gene mutation that runs in the family. The best known hereditary breast cancer genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, but there are many other breast cancer genes for which testing is now available, including CHEK2, ATM, PALB2, and others. Genetic counselors are available at Piedmont Oncology to help determine if genetic testing for inherited breast cancer risk would benefit you and your family.
If you or a close family member (on either side of the family) have had any of the following, you may benefit from genetic counseling for your breast cancer risk:
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Breast cancer diagnosed at a young age (50-60 or younger)
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Triple negative (ER-PR-Her2-) breast cancer
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Multiple separate breast cancers, or breast cancer and another form of cancer, in the same person
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Breast cancer (at any age), as well as a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, uterine cancer and/or thyroid cancer
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Breast cancer (at any age) and Eastern European Jewish (Ashkenazi Jewish) ancestry
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Metastatic breast cancer
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Male breast cancer
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Ovarian cancer
Contact a Genetic Counselor
Ask your doctor about breast cancer genetic risk assessment, or contact our genetics team at 404-425-7300 or 706-774-4173 (Augusta). For more information about our genetics program, counseling and testing, explore our additional resources below: