TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON FAMILIAL BREAST CANCER PREVENTION
- True
- False
there is no way to predict breast cancer. However, be aware that your risk of disease is higher than that of the general population. This risk will be even higher if the disease on your mother or sister developed before the age of 50, or if it was bilateral (on both breasts)
- True
- False
Changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to breast cancer hereditary syndromes. A woman carrying any of these mutations have an added risk of disease (a 60-80% life chance of breast cancer), often at very early ages (30-40 years old). However, not all women with the mutation will go to develop cancer.
- True
- False
Anyone who had breast cancer, has an increased chance of developing it again both on the same breast or on the other one, especially if the first case appeared at an early age
- True
- False
Studies show that when taken for a period of 5 years tamoxifen can reduce the reappearance (recurrence) of a cancer, and the development of a new one in the other breast. Clinical studies showed also that tamoxifen reduces the chance of cancer in about 45% of high-risk individuals.
- True
- False
Multiple cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on the same side of the family (maternal or paternal) can indicate that the disease is hereditary. This means there is a genetic relationship (transmission/inheritance), and that cannot occur between different branches of relatives since they are not related by blood. For this reason, different sides of the family should be individually studied, and disease risk increases if the affected relatives belong to the same side.
- Multiple relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer in both breasts
- Breast cancer in a man
- All of them
All of the previous options indicate the need for a genetic study by specialized doctors or geneticist at the genetics clinic
- True
- False
Besides the family doctor, women at high-risk of breast cancer receive support from a specialized service - the Cancer Genetic Clinic. This specialized service can give the individual(s) real disease risk analysis, and surveillance and prevention cancer plans that are right for the situation. The cancer risk analysis might be extended to close relatives, such as the patient’s children.
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