Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Management

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.

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. 

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