Chances of me getting breast cancer?!

Hereditary breast cancer is rare - only 5 - 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary.

An indication that any type of cancer is hereditary within a family is when several members of the same side of the family have had the same type of cancer, especially is some have developed it at an unusually young age.

Even then, only genetic testing can establish for certain whether it is hereditary.

The fact that both your dad's sisters have breast cancer suggests that it MAY run in your family due to a faulty gene, although not necessarily - with one in eight or nine women getting breast cancer at some time in their lives, it's not unusual for two or more women in the same family to have had non-hereditary breast cancer.

And you would only be at increased risk of it if your father carries one of the two faulty genes so far known to be responsible for hereditary breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2. If his sisters inherited one of these genes from one of their parents, then there's a 50% chance he did too. And if he did, you have a 50% chance of having inherited it. If he didn't inherit it, nor will you have.

One of my friends carries one of the faulty breast cancer genes and both her daughters have been tested for it; one has inherited it, the other hasn't.

You should talk to your father or your aunts, and find out if they know whether there cancer is hereditary, as you may well be worrying needlessly.

After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was assured mine was not hereditary and no members of my largely female family were at increased risk - including my nieces (I have no daughters).

You don't say how old your aunts are - as with other cancers, breast cancer diagnosed after the age of 50 is less likely to be hereditary.

Your cousin on your mum's side appears to be an isolated case of cancer in that family, so wouldn't affect your chances of getting cancer at all.

So you may not be at increased risk of breast cancer at all, and even if it turns out that it does run in your family, you're not going to develop it at your young age.Health Question & Answer

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Your chances may be higher, but there is evidence that woman with no family history can develop breast cancer.
I found this website you may want to check out. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/tes...
It's very important to keep doing the checks, and discuss with your doctor that you are concerned, even though you are young, they can preform a mammogram, which is a x-ray of just the breast tissue.
Health Question & Answer

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Genetics are strong!
But, Information & awareness gives you the upper hand!
Goo LuckHealth Question & Answer

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Can healthy eating and regular exercise really contribute to breast cancer prevention.? So far, the evidence says yes. What's more, if you combine these risk-reducing habits with limiting your exposure to substances that promote the disease, you'll benefit even more.

When it comes to breast cancer prevention, the risks you can't control

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