Breast Cancer		Family History and Risk   If breast cancer doesn't run in your family, are you assured of not getting it? No. Every woman has some risk of breast cancer. About 80% of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Increasing age -- just the wear and tear of living -- is the biggest single risk factor for breast cancer. For those women who do have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated considerably, slightly, or not at all, compared to women without a family history of breast cancer. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your physician or a genetic counselor. You may be worrying needlessly. Questions Related to Family History and Risk Does breast cancer only affect older women? If you have a risk factor for breast cancer, are you likely to get the disease? Does only your mother’s family history of breast cancer affect your risk? Does using antiperspirants cause breast cancer? Is q monthly breast self-exam the best way to diagnose breast cancer? I’m at high risk for breast cancer. I've heard that there’s nothing I can do about it. Is this true? Is a breast cancer diagnosis an automatic death sentence? Does breastfeeding if you have a breast tumor increase your child’s risk of cancer? Does wearing an underwire bra cause breast cancer? Can mammograms cause cancer? Page 1 of 1    | 1 |

© 2004 healthsearches.org. All rights reserved.