Q: Which doctor do I consult for inherited breast cancer?
A: If you are worried about your risk of inherited breast cancer, you should visit an oncologist or a genetic counselor.
Q: At what age should I start screening for breast cancer?
A: Breast cancer screening for high-risk women starts at the age of 35 years. However, you may need to start screening earlier than this, depending on your family history. A genetic counselor will be able to advise you accurately.
Q: Can I inherit breast cancer from my father?
A: Yes. If your father has a mutation in a breast cancer gene, there is 50% chance he would have passed it on to you. If you have inherited this gene mutation from you father, then you will be at an increased risk of breast cancer.
Q: If genetic testing shows I am negative for gene mutation found in my family, am I still at a risk of developing breast cancer?
A: If you have not inherited the family specific mutation, you are not at an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer will be the same as any other woman from the general population.
Q: If I have a mutation, can I test my children?
A: Hereditary breast cancer is an adult-onset condition. Therefore, on ethical grounds, your children can only be tested after the age of 18 years. Before getting tested they must undergo genetic counseling to ensure that they are making an informed decision that is suitable to them.
