Breakthrough Breast Cancer Publishes Definitive Guide To Family History Of Breast Cancer

Breakthrough Breast Cancer Publishes Definitive Guide To Family History Of Breast Cancer
Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology; Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 20 Mar 2011 - 17:00 PDT




Breakthrough Breast Cancer today launches a definitive guide for people with an increased risk of developing breast cancer due to their family history.

The guide provides, for the first time, information on national standards for services and care for people who have a suspected or confirmed family history of breast cancer, in one single, accessible place. It combines expert advice from professionals as well as experiences from women with a family history of breast cancer. It allows both men and women to have a wider understanding of their risk of familial breast cancer and help them navigate the NHS services available to them.

Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says, "Although familial or hereditary breast cancer is unusual, it is important for people at higher risk of breast cancer to have access to the vital services they need. This will help them to find out how to manage their own risk and get the most appropriate breast screening, so that if cancer does develop, it is caught early. These guidelines will serve as an essential tool for a significant proportion of the population and their families in helping to reduce the fear of breast cancer."

A family history of breast cancer means having an unusually high number of close relatives with the disease or some other form of cancer, such as ovarian. Of the nearly 48,000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, about one in five has a family history of the disease. Having a family history of breast cancer means that you may be more likely to develop the disease, and at a younger age, compared with the general population.

About 1 in 20 breast cancers are associated with inherited faults in breast cancer genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. People with these inherited faults tend to have a particularly strong family history of breast cancer. Generally speaking, a family history that may suggest a link to a faulty gene means having:
. Two close family members (including, for example, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother or aunt) diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50
. Or three close family members under 60
. Or four close family members of any age

The guide is available nationwide and will be a useful addition to GP and practice nurses' armoury in the battle against breast cancer. The guide is available free from breakthrough.org.uk/publications or by calling the free phone information line 08080 100 200.

About Breakthrough Breast Cancer:

- Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering charity dedicated to the prevention, treatment and ultimate eradication of breast cancer. The charity fights on three fronts; research, campaigning and education.
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer funds ground breaking research, campaigns for better services and treatments and raises awareness of breast cancer. Through this work the charity believes passionately that breast cancer can be beaten and the fear of the disease removed for good.
- Find more information at breakthrough.org.uk

Breast cancer in the UK

- Nearly 48,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.
- 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
- Around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every month in the UK.
- Around 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.
- More women than ever in the UK are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, better screening and better treatments.


Breast cancer in Scotland

- Over 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Scotland.
- Around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every year in Scotland.
- Around 25 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Scotland.

Source
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Publishes Definitive Guide To Family History Of Breast Cancer