Options for Women at Higher Risk

Many factors increase breast cancer risk modestly or only slightly (such as usual hyperplasia or 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:

• Mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes  
• Very strong family history of breast cancer such as a parent and/or sibling 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 to the chest in childhood or young adulthood  

Some risk factors for breast cancer increase women's risk 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.

Breast cancer screening for women at higher risk

There are special breast cancer screening guidelines for some women at higher risk. If you have a higher breast cancer risk, 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 that may 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 11/02/11

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