KNOW YOUR GENETIC RISK
Hereditary Cancer
For you.
A hereditary cancer syndrome is a genetic condition that predisposes someone to develop certain types of cancer. You may be at a higher risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome, and may qualify for genetic testing, if you have a personal or family history of any of the following:
• Breast cancer diagnosed before age 45 years
• Triple negative breast cancer at or before age 60 years (ER-, PR-, HER2-)
• Two or more primary cancers (e.g., breast and colon; breast and thyroid)
• Bilateral breast cancer or two primary breast cancers (not recurrent cancer)
• Three or more diagnoses of breast cancer in close blood relatives (can include yourself)
• Several generations of your family, on the same side of the family, having cancer (e.g., mother, grandmother, great-grandfather)
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• Breast cancer diagnosed in a male
Every woman is encouraged to learn her risk to develop breast cancer. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer, you could be at risk to develop a second breast cancer or another type of cancer. It is important to be aware of your level of risk because this helps guide recommendations for cancer screening and risk reduction, with the goal to prevent cancer altogether.
Sporadic vs. Hereditary Cancer.
For Loved Ones.
Genetic counseling and testing can also tell you if members of your family may be at elevated risk to develop cancer. Since these genetic differences are typically passed from generation to generation, this means that children, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins may also have a genetic difference that increases their risk to develop cancer. Sharing this valuable information with family members can be lifesaving.
“They say knowledge is POWER, and in the world of modern medicine, that has never been more true. Or in the case like mine, help save a life. Genetic testing has become more accessible and accurate thanks to advances in technology. It not only is used to confirm a diagnosis, but also can help predict how a disease will progress. Whether the outcome is positive or negative, it can help you and your family make informed decisions about health care management. Now that you know about genetic testing, will you have the power to save your life or the life of someone you love?”
-Sammie, Stage 4
