Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Management
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Sign Up for FORCE NewslettersManaging Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk
Every person is at risk for breast cancer and the risk increases with age. People with an inherited mutation in the genes listed below have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, often at a younger age. Genetic counseling and testing can help you learn if you have an inherited mutation in one of the genes listed below.
What can people do to manage their breast cancer risk?
There are three main medical approaches to managing an increased breast cancer risk:
- increased screening
- medications to lower risk
- risk-reducing surgery
Each of these options comes with benefits, costs and risks. Expert guidelines for breast cancer risk management are based on your level of risk.
See below for more information on each of these risk-management approaches.
In the News
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.
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.
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.
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.
Testing a Vaccine for Preventing or Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04674306
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WISDOM Study: Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT02620852
Testing a Vaccine for Cancer Prevention in People with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04367675
Restoring Sensation after DIEP Flap Reconstruction
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04533373
Helping Latinas Understand Their Risk for Breast Cancer and Get Breast Cancer Care
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05483283
Study for People with Unexpected Genetic Results
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT02595957