Hereditary breast cancer is rare. However, women with a family history of breast cancer can be at higher risk of developing the disease.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has developed a new guide for people with a family history of breast cancer. It sets out what a family history is and how your risk is assessed, including genetic testing options. It explains what breast screening is available to people at higher risk of breast cancer and ways to manage risk.

This new guide is based on the latest available evidence, together with the experiences of women with breast cancer.

Hereditary breast cancer is associated with patterns of cancer in families. Defining a family history of breast cancer is quite complex. Breakthrough Breast Cancer defines a person’s family history as having an unusually high number of close relatives with breast cancer, often at a younger age than would normally be expected. So, having one relative diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50 or older usually would not mean that you have a family history. Other factors that can contribute to a family history are cases of male breast cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer in both breasts, or having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

A family history can be classed as moderate or strong, based on the number of family members on the same side of your family with the breast cancer, how closely related they are to you, and the age they were diagnosed with the disease.

If you are concerned about any history of cancer in your family, speak with your doctor.

For more information on the free version of Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s guide on family history please visit

www.breakthroughbreastcancer.com