Genetic Causes of Breast Cancer
Family history has long been known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives like mother, daughter, sister are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives like grandmother, aunt with breast cancer may also increase the risk. Breast cancer in a male increase the risk for all his close female relatives. Having relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer also increases a women's risk of breast cancer. There is great interest in genes linked to breast cancer. About 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancers are believed to be hereditary, as a result of mutations, or changes, in certain genes that are passed along in families.
BRCA1and BRCA2 are abnormal genes that , when inherited, markedly increase the risk of breast cancer to a lifetime risk estimated between 40 percent to 85 percent. Women with these abnormal genes also have an increased likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. Women who have the BRCA1 gene tend to develop breast cancer at an early age.
Testing for these genes is expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
The issues around testing are complicated, and women who are interested in testing should discuss their risk factors with their health care providers.
Hormonal Causes of Breast Cancer
Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer.
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells because the medicines target rapidly dividing cells. But normal cells in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nails, vagina, and hair also divide rapidly. So chemotherapy affects them, too.
The healthy cells in your body can repair the damage that result from chemotherapy. But cancer cells cannot repair themselves very well.
The side effects you may have from chemotherapy depend on the regimen you are on, the amount of medicine you are getting, the length of treatment, and your general health. The side effects you have may be different from someone else who is on the same regimen.
While your body is recovering from chemotherapy, other medicines can help ease many of the side effects you may have. It is very important to tell your doctor and oncology nurse about any side effects you are having. If medicines are not controlling the side effects, your doctor or nurse can help you find something that works.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen, a hormone produced by the ovaries, promotes growth of some breast cancers. Women whose breast cancers test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors can be given hormone therapy to block the side effects of estrogens on the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen, the most commonly used antiestrogen drug, has been shown to provide a 26 percent annual reduction in recurrence and a 14 percent annual reduction in deaths. Hormone therapy is effective in both postmenopausal and premenopausal patient's whose cancers are positive for steroid hormone receptors.
Family history has long been known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives like mother, daughter, sister are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives like grandmother, aunt with breast cancer may also increase the risk. Breast cancer in a male increase the risk for all his close female relatives. Having relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer also increases a women's risk of breast cancer. There is great interest in genes linked to breast cancer. About 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancers are believed to be hereditary, as a result of mutations, or changes, in certain genes that are passed along in families.
BRCA1and BRCA2 are abnormal genes that , when inherited, markedly increase the risk of breast cancer to a lifetime risk estimated between 40 percent to 85 percent. Women with these abnormal genes also have an increased likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. Women who have the BRCA1 gene tend to develop breast cancer at an early age.
Testing for these genes is expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
The issues around testing are complicated, and women who are interested in testing should discuss their risk factors with their health care providers.
Hormonal Causes of Breast Cancer
Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer.
- Women who start their periods at an early age (12 or younger) or experience a late menopause (55 or older) have a slightly risk of developing breast cancer. Conversely, being older at the time of the first menstrual period and early menopause tend to protect one from breast cancer.
- Having a child before 30 years of age may provide some protection, and having no children may increase the risk for developing breast cancer.
- Using oral contraceptive pills means that a women has a slightly increased risk of breast cancer than women who have never used them. This risk appears to decrease and return to normal with time once the pills are stopped.
- A large study conducted by the Women's Health Initiative showed an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who were on a combination of estrogen and progesterone for several years. Therefore, women who are considering hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms need to discuss the risk versus the benefit with their health-care providers.
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells because the medicines target rapidly dividing cells. But normal cells in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nails, vagina, and hair also divide rapidly. So chemotherapy affects them, too.
The healthy cells in your body can repair the damage that result from chemotherapy. But cancer cells cannot repair themselves very well.
The side effects you may have from chemotherapy depend on the regimen you are on, the amount of medicine you are getting, the length of treatment, and your general health. The side effects you have may be different from someone else who is on the same regimen.
While your body is recovering from chemotherapy, other medicines can help ease many of the side effects you may have. It is very important to tell your doctor and oncology nurse about any side effects you are having. If medicines are not controlling the side effects, your doctor or nurse can help you find something that works.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen, a hormone produced by the ovaries, promotes growth of some breast cancers. Women whose breast cancers test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors can be given hormone therapy to block the side effects of estrogens on the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen, the most commonly used antiestrogen drug, has been shown to provide a 26 percent annual reduction in recurrence and a 14 percent annual reduction in deaths. Hormone therapy is effective in both postmenopausal and premenopausal patient's whose cancers are positive for steroid hormone receptors.
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