can breast cancer be inheritied if yes what are the chances that it will be?

Question

becuase my grandmother had breast cancer for 2 years and died is there a chance(if yes what % that she will) my mom will get it too??

Answer 1

Yes Breast cancer cna be inheritied in some cases. But heriditiary can not be the reason for all breast cancers.

Breast cancer is a cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females, affecting, at some time in their lives, approximately one out of nine to thirteen women who reach age ninety in the Western world. It is the second most fatal cancer in women (after lung cancer), and the number of cases has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on modern lifestyles in the Western world. Because the breast is composed of identical tissues in males and females, breast cancer can also occur in males, although cases of male breast cancer account for less than one percent of the total.

Two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been linked to the rare familial form of breast cancer . People in families expressing mutations in these genes have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not. Not all people who inherit mutations in these genes will develop breast cancer. Together with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (p53 mutations), these genetic aberrations determine around 5% of all breast cancer cases, suggesting that the remainder is sporadic. Recently it was found that newly discovered gene called BARD1 if exists in combination with BRCA2 gene may increase the risk of breast cancer to as much as 80 percent.Genetic counseling and genetic testing should be considered for families who may carry a hereditary form of cancer.

Bestg thng would be to have screenng and mammography test every year to ensure you or your mother is not having the disease. In case of heriditiary cancers it may crop up at any age and nothing can be told. You have to be watchful only. Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Screening methods suggested include breast self-examination and mammography. Mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer-related mortality by 20-30%.[Routine (annual) mammography of women older than 50 is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer and has demonstrated a protective effect in multiple clinical trials.

Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.Mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer, and breast cancers detected by mammography are usually smaller than those detected clinically.

Answer 2

It is really hard to say because they don't know what causes it. There is a real good article in Discovery magazine this month on Cancer. It is rather techie but it gives a lot of answers and it opens up more questions. Check it out.

Answer 3

There is a greater chance if a relative had it. My great grandma had it, and so did my mother. I am afraid for my health now. It has all been in the news about this certain gene that is inherited.

Answer 4

yes, breast cancer can be "handed down" in a way. only certain types are like this though. on the plus side, you can be tested to see if you are at risk.

Answer 5

yes its probably 99% your mom will have it and about 75% chance you will have it...i no my mom and grandmother had it now i do....