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Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Management

Learn about national guidelines and options for breast cancer screening and prevention.

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Breast Cancer > Risk Management Options

Managing Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk

Every person is at risk for breast cancer and the risk increases with age. People with an inherited mutation in the genes listed below have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, often at a younger age. Genetic counseling and testing can help you learn if you have an inherited mutation in one of the genes listed below.

Breast Cancer In Women
Male Breast Cancer

What can people do to manage their breast cancer risk?

There are three main medical approaches to managing an increased breast cancer risk: 

  • increased screening
  • medications to lower risk
  • risk-reducing surgery

Each of these options comes with benefits, costs and risks. Expert guidelines for breast cancer risk management are based on your level of risk.

See below for more information on each of these risk-management approaches. 

 

In the News

A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation

Update : A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation

A breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in early clinical trials. Initially, the vaccine was tested in people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who were at high risk for recurrence. Now the vaccine is being...

Risk-Management Options

Screening

Screening for breast cancer uses tests to try to catch cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable. Finding breast cancer at an early stage increases a person’s chance of survival. 

More info

Medications to Reduce Risk

Medications are available to lower breast cancer risk in high-risk women. Others are being tested as part of clinical research studies. 

More info

Surgery to Reduce Risk

“Prophylactic mastectomy” or "risk-reducing mastectomy" refers to the removal of healthy breasts to reduce a person's risk of developing breast cancer. 

More info

Last updated September 26, 2024