Hereditary Breast Cancer

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

Every person is at risk for breast cancer. The average lifetime risk for breast cancer in women is about 13 percent. This means that one out of every eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, usually after age 60. People with an inherited mutation in the genes listed below have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, often at a younger age. The risk varies based on multiple factors, including:

• age
• gender
• presence of a gene mutation
• personal and family history of cancer
• other risk factors

Can men get breast cancer?

Men (people assigned male at birth) can get breast cancer, however, the average risk for male breast cancer is very low, less than 1 percent. 

People with inherited mutations in the genes listed below are at increased risk for male breast cancer. 

Is breast cancer genetic?

All breast cancers are caused by damage to genes in breast cells. Most of this damage happens during the course of a person's lifetime. 

Some breast cancers are hereditary. These are caused by inherited mutations that are present at birth and can be passed on from parents to their children. Genetic counseling and testing can help people learn if they are at high risk. 

What are the signs of hereditary breast cancer?

The best way to learn if breast cancer is hereditary is through genetic testing. Some of the more common signs of hereditary breast cancer include:

• triple-negative breast cancer
• multiple breast cancers in the same person
• multiple people in a family with breast cancer
• young onset breast cancer

You can read more about breast cancer genetic testing here. 

Which genes are linked to hereditary breast cancer?

Inherited mutations in the genes listed below can increase the risk for breast cancer. 

How common is hereditary breast cancer?

About 10% of all breast cancers are caused by inherited mutations that can be passed on from parents to their childrens. 

What else affects breast cancer risk?

Factors such as diet, weight, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, hormone exposure and environmental exposures can affect breast cancer risk in the general population and in people at high risk for cancer. More research is needed to understand how much these factors influence risk in people with inherited mutations.

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.

What type of breast cancer screening is best for high-risk people?

Experts have guidelines for screening for people at high risk for breast cancer. These guidelines differ based on a person's age, gender, lifetime risk, breast density and other factors. Visit this page for more information. 

Is triple-negative breast cancer hereditary?

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) can be hereditary. This type of breast cancer is more common in people with certain inherited mutations, especially BRCA1. Other genes linked to an increased risk for TNBC include BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51C and RAD51D. People with TNBC meet the guidelines for genetic testing. Visit this page for more information. 

You can learn more about treatment options for TNBC here. 

Can an inherited mutation change treatment options?

Yes. People with breast cancer who test positive for an inherited mutation may have additional treatment options. Some targeted therapies work better in people with certain mutations. Clinical trials testing new options may also be available. Visit this page for more information about breast cancer treatment options.