Breast Cancer - Hereditary Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer - Hereditary Breast Cancer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell]Michael Russell

Cancer involves mutations, or changes, in genes.  In most people affected by cancer, these genetic changes happen after birth later in life.  In Hereditary Cancer, the cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that the person was born with.  Some cancers, such as breast, ovary and colon tend to be hereditary, but that doesn't mean that you will develop a cancer in one of these areas if you have an immediate family member that has experienced the disease.  Not all genetic mutations will develop into cancer, however, the mutation will increase the chance that the person will have a higher risk of developing cancer.

Only 10% of all cases are thought to be hereditary.  Some of the factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary are before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family.  If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting the disease can be increased.  However it does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer.  You also must keep in mind that the risk for hereditary cancer can be passed on from your mother or your father.  You must look at both sides of the family.

The two hereditary mutations that are looked at for are BRCA1 and BRCA2.  The test for these two genetic factors are done by taking a blood sample.  Both of these BRCA mutations (BReast CAncer 1 and 2) are associated with breast and ovarian cancers.

So what factors should you consider when thinking about genetic testing?  The age and onset of breast cancer.  What other types of cancer are present.  What other family members have/had cancer and their relationship to you.  When you meet with a

Study of Statin as Neo-Adjuvant Therapy in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
<b>Conditions</b>:   Breast Cancer;   Postmenopausal<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Atorvastatin<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Lund University Hospital<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified December 2008
CYP2D6 Genotyping by AmpliChipTM CYP450 for Tamoxifen-Treated Breast Cancer Patients
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: There is no intervention - this is an observational study<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified December 2008
Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography (PET/CT) Guided Fulvestrant Therapy for Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Procedure: PET/CT Scan<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   British Columbia Cancer Agency<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified December 2008
Somo?InSIGHT Study: A Clinical Study to Evaluate Somo?v and Digital Mammography Together as a Breast Cancer Screening Method, Compared to Digital Mammography Alone, in Women With Dense Breasts.
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Device: Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) as an adjunct to digital screening mammography<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   U-Systems, Inc.<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified December 2008
Radiation Therapy in Treating Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Who Have Undergone Breast Conservation Surgery
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Procedure: radiation therapy<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified December 2008

genetic counselor, they will go over your family's medical history and information.  This will include first-degree relatives, such as your parents, siblings and children.  second-degree relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles and your third-degree relatives or cousins.

Genetic testing can help a patient make decisions about types of treatment and follow-care.  A woman with the one of the BRCA mutations may decide to have both breasts removed completely to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence.  Having your healthy breasts or ovaries removed to prevent cancer is called a "prophylactic surgery" and many women who test positive for the genetic mutations decide to go that route.   They may just decide to take Tamoxifen to lower their risk.

Not only can women take advantage of risk reduction techniques based on the results of their genetic testing, there are also increased surveillance tools that can help high risk individuals with early detection.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are two tools that can be combined with a mammogram to detect in its most treatable stage.

Not every person who carries a genetic mutation will develop cancer.  You must remember that genetic testing does not detect and it will not tell you if you will get in your lifetime.  The decision to participate in genetic testing is very personal and there is no right or wrong choice in making the decision to have it done.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to [http://breast-cancer.treatment-and-guides.com/]Breast Cancer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Breast-Cancer---Hereditary-Breast-Cancer&id=201833