Younger Women With Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Tumor in Other Breast

Related Encyclopedia • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis • Amniocentesis and CVS More... Related Healthscout Videos Super Kids: Genius Sperm Bank? Super Kids: 8 Ways to Boost Your Baby's Brain Power Neobladder Leukemia Breakthrough More... Related Animations • Breast Reduction • Colon Cancer • Erectile Dysfunction • Facelift More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Detrol LA • Diflucan • Ditropan XL More... Related News Articles • Health Tip: Tobacco Ills • Health Tip: Having Endoscopy? • Black Moms Face Triple the Risk of 'Preemie' Birth • Black Moms Bear Burden of Premature Births More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

The study findings suggest that several courses of action are wise, Gronberg said. "Young women, those under age 50, with hereditary breast cancer, regardless of BRCA1/2 mutation status, should consider a prophylactic operation in the opposite breast within two to three years after the treatment of the first cancer," he said. "This will reduce the risk of being diagnosed with a new breast cancer in the opposite breast."

For women over age 50, he said, "the need for prophylactic surgery is much less, and the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy is most appropriate among these women."

Genetic counseling is also important for women with hereditary breast cancer, Gronberg said.

Text Continues Below

---

The study results probably won't surprise those in the genetic-counseling field, said Scott Weissman, a certified genetics counselor and co-chairman of the familial cancer risk counseling special interest group for the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Genetic counseling can help women decide what options to pursue, he said. "We try to identify the mutation in a gene causing a breast cancer in the family," he said. "If we are able to identify one, we can counsel these women about their chances of getting a cancer in the opposite breast."

"You can very much put numbers on it," Weissman said. Women can be told their chances of getting another cancer in specific percent terms, over a specific time period, he said.

"Genetics counseling can help guide you on how to manage the risk," he said. That might mean more frequent screening for breast cancer or adding a breast MRI to regular mammograms.

More information

To learn more about genetic counseling, visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors (www.nsgc.org ).

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2