Just like you might get your dad’s dimples or your mom’s green eyes, you also inherit the genes (good and bad) that impact your overall health. So, if anyone in your immediate family has had a serious health condition, you might be at a greater risk for being diagnosed with the same thing. That’s also true for breast cancer. In fact, if your mom, sister or daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk doubles.If that’s the case, you could benefit from earlier and more frequent screenings.
Another option is to get tested for common genes that are linked to breast cancer. If you have one of those genes, you could take a more aggressive approach and look into protective (preventive) surgery, like a mastectomy or oophorectomy. These surgeries may greatly reduce your chance of getting breast cancer, but they may not eliminate it. Talk with your doctor about your family history and the best approach for managing or reducing your risk.