Breast cancer risks and prevention

Many factors play a role in your risk for breast cancer. Understanding your risk is vital to detecting breast cancer early and taking steps toward prevention. At Penn Medicine, we can provide you with your personal cancer risk assessment, screening for breast cancer, genetic counseling, and surveillance strategies if you are at an increased risk for breast cancer.

If you have a strong family history of cancer or are simply worried about developing breast cancer, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk. These breast cancer prevention techniques involve combatting some of the lifestyle risk factors that are known to cause breast cancer.

• Manage your physical health: Staying physically fit with exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is important to your overall health but has also been proven to contribute to a lower breast cancer risk. Limit alcohol consumption: Many studies have shown a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Eliminating or limiting alcohol intake may also decrease your breast cancer risk.
• Evaluate hormone use: If you are instructed by your physician to take hormone medication (for hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive birth control), be mindful of the side effects. Speak with your doctor about the relationship between these medications and breast cancer risk to understand its full effects and decide whether it is the right decision for you and your body.
• Consider breastfeeding: Breast cancer risk increases depending on a variety of childbirth choices. If you do make the decision to have a biological child, breastfeeding that child has been linked to fewer instances of breast cancer.

The BRCA gene and breast cancer

There are two BRCA (BReast CAncer) genes that everyone inherits through genetics, referred to as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The purpose of these genes is to repair damaged DNA, including abnormal cell growth that can lead to cancer. If this gene has mutated, known as both a pathogenic variant or gene mutation, this can cause your body to have a more challenging time fighting off abnormal (cancerous) cells.

Inheriting a mutated BRCA gene increases the risk of several types of cancers, with breast cancer being the most prominent. People with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are also at risk of developing cancer earlier in life. If you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, you have up to a 75 percent risk of developing breast cancer in your lifetime.

To help you manage the risk that a BRCA genetic mutation poses, we created a center devoted to people and families with a BRCA mutation. Through the Basser Center for BRCA, founded by Mindy and Jon Gray, we offer specialized genetic counseling, personalized cancer risk management programs, education, and support. Our extensive and ongoing research on BRCA-related cancers provides you with access to innovative treatments and advanced clinical care.

Breast cancer risk assessment at Penn Medicine

A genetic risk assessment for breast cancer can determine your screening regimen, treatment options, and follow-up care. At the Mariann and Robert MacDonald Cancer Risk Evaluation Center, we offer genetic counseling and testing. Whether you suspect you are at an increased risk or already have a breast cancer diagnosis, understanding your cancer risk provides you with options.

Our genetic counselors use their experience and advanced training to create a personalized plan based on your specific cancer risk. Our Breast Cancer Care program coordinates your care and guides you through any complex decisions about screening, prevention, and treatment.