If a woman has inherited a mutated gene from either parent, she is more likely to develop breast cancer. The relatives can be from either the mother's or father's side of the family. Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer almost doubles a woman's risk. A woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of developing a new cancer in the other breast. This is different from a recurrence of the first cancer.
White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women.
But African-Americans are more likely to die of this cancer. Asian and Hispanic women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Breast Cancer Links - click here for more Links and Information on Breast Cancer .