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Breast Cancer Risk Management & Treatment

Learn about options for breast cancer screening, prevention and treatment

Breast Cancer Risk

Everyone is at risk for breast cancer; the risk varies based on multiple factors, including:

  • age
  • gender
  • presence of an inherited mutation
  • personal and family history of cancer
  • other risk factors

Inherited mutations in the genes below have been linked to increased breast cancer risk in women (people assigned female at birth). Some of these genes also increase the male breast cancer risk (people assigned male at birth).

Breast Cancer In Women
Male Breast Cancer

Other inherited mutations increase the risk of breast cancer. Most of these are rare. 

Other Risk Factors

Factors such as diet, weight, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, hormone exposure and environmental exposures can affect breast cancer risk in the general population and in people at high risk for cancer. More research is needed to understand how much these factors influence risk in people with inherited mutations.

Risk Management and Treatment

People at high risk for breast cancer have different options for managing breast cancer risk, including:

  • breast screening
  • medications to reduce risk
  • surgery to reduce risk

National expert guidelines for breast cancer risk management vary by gene mutation and level of risk. Click on the button below to learn more about these guidelines. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a risk-management plan and schedule that is right for you.

People diagnosed with breast cancer may have different treatment options based on:

  • stage
  • subtype
  • genetic testing results 
  • biomarker testing results 

Click on the button below to learn more about these treatment options. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a treatment plan that is right for you.

Last updated February 13, 2024