Many factors increase breast cancer risk modestly or only slightly (such as usual hyperplasia or age at menopause). However, there are a few factors that put women at very high risk of breast cancer. Each of these factors alone can greatly increase the risk of breast cancer:

• Mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
• Very strong family history of breast cancer such as parent and/or sibling diagnosed at age 40 or younger.
• Personal history of breast cancer (including DCIS), LCIS or atypical hyperplasia.
• Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation (to the chest) in childhood or young adulthood.

Some risk factors for breast cancer increase women's risk only a modest amount. Having more than one of these factors however, can put a woman at higher risk. Learn more about estimating breast cancer risk.

If you have a higher breast cancer risk, talk to your health care provider about getting screened earlier and/or more often. You also have options to help lower your breast cancer risk. These include having preventive surgery and/or taking a risk-lowering drug, like tamoxifen or raloxifene. Such decisions should only be made after talking with your provider.

Updated 12/01/09 
 

Testing for BRCA Mutations	More Frequent or Earlier Screening
	Preventive Surgery
	Risk-Lowering Drugs