Options for Women at Higher Risk

Many factors increase breast cancer risk only slightly (such as a later age at menopause). However, there are a few factors that put women at very high risk of breast cancer.

Women at higher risk of breast cancer

Each of these factors can greatly increase the risk of breast cancer:

• A mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (or a first-degree relative with a mutation)
• Strong family history of breast cancer, such as mother and/or sister diagnosed at age 40 or younger
• Personal history of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)  
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia  
• Radiation treatment to the chest area during childhood or young adulthood
• A mutation in the TP53 or PTEN genes (or a first-degree relative with a mutation) (These gene mutations can lead to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome. People with one of these syndromes or who have a first-degree relative with one of these syndromes have an increased risk of breast cancer.)

Some risk factors for breast cancer increase women's risk a modest amount (such as usual hyperplasia). Having more than one of these factors however, may also put a woman at higher risk.

Learn more about estimating breast cancer risk.

Breast cancer screening for women at higher risk

There are special breast cancer screening guidelines for some women at higher risk [230]. If you have a higher risk of breast cancer, talk to your health care provider about getting screened earlier and/or more often.

Learn more about breast cancer screening for women at higher risk.

Risk-lowering options for women at higher risk

If you have a higher risk of breast cancer, there are some options to help lower your risk including:

• Risk-lowering drugs (tamoxifen or raloxifene)
• Preventive surgery (prophylactic mastectomy or prophylactic oophorectomy)

Such decisions should only be made after talking with your provider. 

Updated 10/30/12

Testing for BRCA Mutations	Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations for Women at Higher Risk
	Preventive Surgery
	Risk-Lowering Drugs