Genetics and Breast Cancer (for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!)

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

This October is a time to educate, empower, and show up for our loved ones who have battled breast cancer. We know that breast cancer is incredibly common and that about 1 in 8 women will develop it in their lifetime. But, did you know that about 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary (aka due to a genetic risk someone was born with)?

How Do Cancer Genes Work?

Everyone has many genes that help protect the cells in our bodies from cancer. However, sometimes people are born with a change (mutation/variant) in one of these protective genes, leaving cells more vulnerable to damage that can lead to cancer over time.

Which Genes Increase Breast Cancer Risk?

There are several well-known genes that increase breast cancer risk, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, and CHEK, to name a few. Changes in these genes can also raise the risk for related cancers (like ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate), so identifying them can help inform you of screening and prevention options. 

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

For individuals with an active breast cancer diagnosis, genetic testing can be incredibly helpful. It can:

• Guide treatment decisions and eligibility for targeted therapies

• Reveal risks for other, unrelated cancers, and give an opportunity for proactive care

• Provide valuable information for family members, helping them learn if a hereditary risk runs in the family
  

For individuals with a family history of cancer, testing can be helpful to:

• Clarify whether you’ve inherited any risk-causing changes in these hereditary cancer genes

• Inform risk-management strategies like breast screening and surgery options, in addition to personalized nutrition and lifestyle changes

• Identify family members who may also be at risk

Note: Testing is most informative when relatives with cancer are tested too. Think of families like a puzzle, where each person represents one piece. Testing multiple family members helps us see the whole picture and better understand what’s happening across generations.

When to Consider Genetic Testing

Some signs that hereditary breast cancer might run in your family include:

• Breast cancer diagnosed at a young age (like before age 50)

• Multiple relatives with breast cancer

• Family members with related cancers, like ovarian, pancreatic, or male breast cancer

• Triple negative breast cancer

• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (where BRCA1/2 mutations are more common)

If any of these sound familiar, genetic testing may be a helpful next step for you!

Curious about your risk?
At Golden Genetics, we offer integrative, personalized genetic counseling and testing to help you understand your risk and make proactive choices.

Book a discovery call to learn more about what genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast cancer and might look like for you. 💛