Why Medical Family History Is Important

Studies indicate that if a woman has a family history of breast cancer, there is an increased risk that she will develop cancer as well. But, studies also show that among those women who have had or have breast cancer, 85% do not have a family history of this disease.

The family history incorporates the health of the immediate family members such as mother, sister, and daughter. Thus, if any one of these relatives has had or has breast cancer, your risk is doubled. And if you have two or more family relatives who have this disease, your risk is quadrupled.

There are also indications that a woman whose brother or father had cancer is also at risk. Statistics show that up to 30% of women who have breast cancer also have a relative who has cancer.

To illustrate this point, there was one family where the father died of lung cancer first, then the daughter died of ovarian cancer, and the mother succumbed to stomach cancer. This is a sad but inevitable fact in a small minority of families who have battled this disease.

There are inherent risk factors. Those who inherit genes that are mutated are susceptible to this disease. The two genes in question are called BRCA1 and BRAC2.

What are they? When these genes appear in normal cells, they actually prevent cancer by blocking cells from becoming abnormal as they grow.

If these genes are mutated, however, there is a higher chance that cancer will develop, either in the form of breast or ovarian cancer. Statistics show that up to 10% of women are at risk for developing breast cancer as a direct result of these mutated genes. In addition, if you have had cancer in one breast the risk is high for developing cancer in the other breast.

Many individuals are pre-disposed to inherit certain types of diseases. While the figure is small, it nonetheless exists. It is important, then, to provide your doctor with as much family medical history as you can so that they can focus on one specific area if the need arises.