RAD51C: Options for Managing Risk

18

Learn to be aware of changes in your breasts.

Based on NCCN guidelines for women of average risk

25

Breast exam by doctor every 6-12 months.

Based on NCCN guidelines for women of average risk

40 (or earlier based on family history of breast cancer)

Yearly mammogram.

40 (or earlier based on family history of breast cancer)

Discuss the benefits, risks and costs of yearly breast MRI with and without contrast with your doctor.

No set age

Discuss the benefits, risks and costs of medications to lower the risk for breast cancer with your doctor.

Tamoxifen or other estrogen-blocking drugs may lower breast cancer risk. Medications or vaccines are being studied in clinical trials.

75

Consider whether to continue, stop or change breast screening.

45 - 50

Risk-reducing removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes (RRSO). Timing of surgery should take into account plans to have children.

• The surgery should be done at a facility that has expertise and follows special precautions for people with inherited mutations. This includes a procedure known as an abdominal wash at the time of surgery. The pathologist should do an extensive exam of the fallopian tubes using a procedure called SEE-FIM to look for any abnormal changes in the tissue.
• If an abnormality known as a "serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma" or STIC lesion is noted in your pathology report, you should be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for follow up care.
• Discuss options for managing the effects of early menopause with your doctor.
• After RRSO, a very small risk remains for a related cancer known as primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). There is no effective screening for PPC after RRSO.
• In people with BRCA mutations, risk-reducing surgery has been linked to longer survival compared to people who have not had surgery. Similar research has not been done in people with RAD51C mutations.

45 - 50

Have a discussion with your doctor about the risks, benefits and costs of removing your uterus (hysterectomy) at the time of RRSO.

The following factors may affect your decision about hysterectomy at the time of RRSO:

• If you have a medical history of fibroids or other issues involving the uterus or cervix you might consider a hysterectomy.
• If you are considering hormone replacement, the type of hormone recommended depends on whether or not you have your uterus.
  • Estrogen alone increases the risk for uterine cancer.
  • Estrogen combined with progesterone protects against uterine cancer, but is linked to a higher risk for breast cancer than estrogen alone.

Before age 50

Experts believe that most ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes. Researchers are studying whether the removal of the fallopian tubes only (salpingectomy), while delaying oophorectomy until closer to the age of natural menopause is a safe option for lowering risk in people who are not ready to remove their ovaries. Guidelines recommend that people interested in this approach speak with their doctor about the benefits and risks, and consider enrolling in a research study.

• At this time, it is not known if salpingectomy is effective for lowering the ovarian cancer risk in high-risk people.
• For this reason, experts recommend that people who choose salpingectomy have a completion oophorectomy to lower their remaining risk for ovarian cancer when they are ready.
• Salpingectomy, followed by delayed oophorectomy requires two separate surgeries.

No set age

Speak with your doctor about the benefits, risks and timing of oral contraceptives or progestin intrauterine devices (IUD) to lower the risk for ovarian and fallopian tube cancers.

• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have been shown to lower the risk for ovarian cancer in high-risk people.
• Progestin intrauterine devices (IUD) may also lower the risk for ovarian cancer in high-risk people.
• Research on the effect of oral contraceptives on breast cancer risk has been mixed.

No set age

Become aware of ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer symptoms. Report any symptoms that persist for several weeks and are a change from normal to your doctor.

Routine ovarian cancer screening using transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test has not shown benefit and is not recommended.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• pelvic or abdominal pain
• bloating or distended belly
• difficulty eating
• feeling full sooner than normal
• increased urination or pressure to urinate