Breast cancer survivors are often concerned about the health of their family members. This is a valid concern since their family members, especially their sisters, daughters and mothers, have an increased risk of getting breast cancer.
In general, the younger a woman is when she gets breast cancer, the more likely that another member of her family will get it, too. The risk tends to be highest in families where two or more immediate family members (mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son) have had breast and/or ovarian cancer [94,95]. In these families, the history of breast cancer is often due to a genetic factor. A genetic risk for breast cancer can also be passed through the father's side of the family, so relatives on both sides should know about their family history and risks [94]. Members of these families may want to think about getting tested for mutations in genes linked to breast cancer. Testing raises many complex issues that families and individuals should consider carefully with the help of a genetic counselor. The person who had breast cancer should be tested first. If this person does not have a genetic mutation, there is no need for other family members to be tested. For more on family history, see the Risk Factors and Prevention section. For more information on genetic testing, see the Risk Factors and Prevention section. Information is also available on the National Cancer Institute website or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
What to Tell Sisters, Daughters and Mothers
Survivors should share their concerns with their families. Family members should consider seeing a health care provider to have their risk of breast cancer assessed. For those who find that they are at higher risk, the drugs
tamoxifen and raloxifene may be options for lowering their risk. Women with a family history of breast cancer should also talk to their health care providers about when they should begin screening for breast cancer. While this will not lower the chance of the getting breast cancer, it increases the chance of finding it at its earliest, most treatable stage. For more on options for those at higher risk of breast cancer,
visit the Risk Factors and Prevention section.
Although breast cancer is more common among women, male family members of breast cancer survivors who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are also at an increased risk. For more on male breast cancer, visit the Men and Breast Cancer section.
Family members should also be told that changes in diet and other health behaviors can promote overall health and some might also help lower their breast cancer risk. The following behaviors reduce the risk of breast cancer and may also reduce the risk of other cancers and health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
- Be physically active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Choose whole grain foods more often.
- Cut down on "bad" fats (saturated and trans fats), and eat more "good" fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, like olive and canola oil).
- Get enough vitamin D and calcium every day. For women and men ages 51 to 70, this means 10 mcg of vitamin D and 1200 mg of calcium.
- Take a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg folic acid (often called folate on nutrition labels).
- If you drink, limit alcohol intake to less than one alcoholic drink a day (for women and fewer than two drinks a day for men). Those who drink alcohol should try to get enough folic acid, either through a multivitamin or foods like oranges, orange juice, leafy green vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.
- Limit red meat and processed meat.
- Choose to breastfeed children, if possible.
(Adapted from the American Cancer Society’s 2006 Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines [
40] and Washington University School of Medicine's Siteman Cancer Center’s
Your Disease Risk [
41].)
Updated 03/14/09
