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Breast Cancer Risk Management

Learn about national guidelines and options for breast cancer screening and prevention.

Breast Cancer > Risk Management Options

Breast Cancer Risk Management 

Every person is at risk for breast cancer and the risk increases with age. The average lifetime risk for breast cancer in women is about 13 percent. This means that one out of every eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, usually after age 60. The average risk for male breast cancer is very low, less than 1 percent. People with an inherited mutation in the genes listed below have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, often at a younger age. 

Breast Cancer In Women
Male Breast Cancer

Genetic counseling and testing can help you learn if you have an inherited mutation in one of these genes. There are expert guidelines for breast cancer risk management, which are based on your level of risk. See below for more information about different risk -management options. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a risk management plan and schedule that is right for you. 

 

In the News

A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation

Update: A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation

A breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in early clinical trials. Initially, the vaccine was tested in people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who were at high risk for recurrence. Now the vaccine is being...

Risk-Management Options

Screening

Screening for breast cancer uses tests to try to catch cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable. Finding breast cancer at an early stage increases a person’s chance of survival. 

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Medications to Reduce Risk

Medications are available to lower breast cancer risk in high-risk women. Others are being tested as part of clinical research studies. 

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Surgery to Reduce Risk

“Prophylactic mastectomy” or "risk-reducing mastectomy" refers to the removal of healthy breasts to reduce a person's risk of developing breast cancer. 

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Participate in Breast Cancer Prevention Research

Below are some of our featured research studies looking at new ways to screen for or prevent breast cancer. To search for additional studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool

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Last updated February 13, 2024