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

Estrogen for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Female Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Estradiol<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   University of Wisconsin, Madison<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Ixabepilone and Vorinostat in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
<b>Conditions</b>:   Male Breast Cancer;   Recurrent Breast Cancer;   Stage IV Breast Cancer<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: vorinostat;   Drug: ixabepilone<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   City of Hope Medical Center<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Female Cancer Patients' Preference For Sexual Health Interventions
<b>Conditions</b>:   Breast Cancer;   Gynecologic Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   <br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Radiation Therapy in Treating Women With Locally Recurrent Breast Cancer Previously Treated With Repeat Breast-Preserving Surgery
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Other: laboratory biomarker analysis;   Other: questionnaire administration;   Procedure: adjuvant therapy;   Radiation: 3-dimensional conformal accelerated partial breast irradiation<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Radiation Therapy Oncology Group;   National Cancer Institute (NCI)<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Study of XL147 or XL765 in Combination With Letrozole in Subjects With Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: XL147;   Drug: XL765;   Drug: letrozole (Femara)<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Exelixis<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Survey Conducted Among Early Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Arimidex for Evaluation of Treatment Adherence
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   <br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   AstraZeneca<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
89Zr-trastuzumab PET for Imaging the Effect of HSP90 Inhibition
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: Imaging with 89Zr-trastuzumab PET<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   University Medical Centre Groningen<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Evaluating the Age Extension of the NHS Breast Screening Programme
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer Mortality<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: Invitation for breast screening<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   University of Oxford;   Department of Health, United Kingdom<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Imaging HSP90 Inhibitor AUY922 on VEGF-89ZR-bevacizumab PET
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: 89Zr-bevacizumab PET imaging<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   University Medical Centre Groningen<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
The Effect of Aromatase Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Women With Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   <br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   University of Pittsburgh;   National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
A Non-inferiority Study Comparing Two Filgrastim Preparations in Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Neutropenia in Breast Cancer<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Filgrastim (Eurofarma);   Drug: Filgrastim (Granulokine, Amgen)<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Eurofarma Laboratorios Ltda<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Letrozole in Treating Healthy Postmenopausal Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: letrozole<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   University of Arizona;   National Cancer Institute (NCI)<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Brain Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients
<b>Condition</b>:   Breast Cancer<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Trastuzumab or Lapatinib<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   GlaxoSmithKline<br/><b>Active, not recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Study of Tamoxifen Dose Escalation in Breast Cancer Patients With CYP2D6 Polymorphisms
<b>Conditions</b>:   Breast Cancer;   CYP2D6 Polymorphism<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Tamoxifen<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Sydney West Area Health Service<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Prevention of Capsular Contracture Using Trental and Vitamin E
<b>Condition</b>:   Capsular Contractures<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Trental<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Legacy Health System<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Lymph Fluid and Blood Collection for Identification of Novel Biomarkers
<b>Condition</b>:   Adenocarcinoma of the Breast<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   <br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Indiana University<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Open Label Study to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Olaparib in Confirmed Genetic BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation Pats
<b>Conditions</b>:   Ovarian;   Breast;   Prostate;   Pancreatic;   Advanced Tumours<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: olaparib<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   AstraZeneca<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010
Carcinogenicity Study of Bupropion
<b>Conditions</b>:   Depressive Disorder;   Cancer<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Regular bupropion use;   Drug: Regular SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) use;   Drug: Regular use of any other antidepressant;   Drug: Regular TCA (Tricyclic antidepressants) use<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   GlaxoSmithKline<br/><b>Active, not recruiting</b> - verified February 2010
Pilot Pharmacokinetic Study of Daily Versus Monthly High-Dose Cholecalciferol Supplementation
<b>Condition</b>:   Healthy Volunteers<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Dietary Supplement: Single High Dose Cholecalciferol;   Dietary Supplement: Daily Dose Cholecalciferol<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Mayo Clinic<br/><b>Recruiting</b> - verified March 2010

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

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