Who Is at High Risk for Breast Cancer?

If you have a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, you may have a high risk of getting breast cancer. You may also have a high risk for ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor about these ways of reducing your risk, including any physical and emotional side effects from the surgeries—

• Antiestrogens or other medicines that block or decrease estrogen in your body.
• Surgery to reduce your risk of breast cancer—
  • Prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy (removal of breast tissue).
  • Prophylactic (preventive) salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes).

It is important that you know your family history and talk to your doctor about how you can lower your risk. For more information about breast cancer prevention, visit Breast Cancer (PDQ): Prevention.