If a member of your family is diagnosed with breast cancer, you are naturally concerned, in the first instance, about the person affected by this disease. Later, however, other concerns will often also start to play on your mind. Is it hereditary? Will I get it too? Can I do anything to reduce the risk?
At iGene we deal with heredity and prevention on a daily basis and help you find answers to these kinds of questions. In this brochure we look in more detail at the symptoms of breast cancer, the role that heredity plays in the disease and whether and how you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Roughly 1 in 8 women in Europe will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Women are at greater risk of breast cancer after the age of 50.
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Genetic predisposition to breast cancer
Your personal risk of breast cancer depends on various factors. One of these is your DNA, but environmental factors and lifestyle also play a role, for example. To make a statement about your genetic predisposition, we examine mutations (changes or errors) in your DNA.
There is a specific variation in the CHEK2 gene – the so-called CHEK2*1100deIC mutation – that can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. The CHEK2 gene is a tumour-suppressor gene involved in repairing DNA breaks. This mutation is present in around 1% of people in Northern Europe.
High-risk genes and breast cancer: not in the iGene DNA Passport
In around 5% of all cases of breast cancer there is a relatively rare mutation in a high-risk gene. Known high-risk genes are BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2. These genes are involved in repairing damaged DNA and in eliminating DNA that cannot be repaired. They are also referred to as tumour-suppressor genes.
At iGene we make no statements about potential mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 gene. A mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is present in 1 in 400 people and significantly increases the risk of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer. Although mutations in these high-risk genes are relatively rare, the same cannot be said if a number of first-degree relatives have developed cancer at a particularly young age within your family; the risk that you carry such a mutation is then much higher. In such a situation it is advisable to consult your doctor. He or she will assess whether you are eligible for a genetic test by a clinical geneticist. The clinical geneticist will perform a complete genetic test (if there are sufficient indications) and provide appropriate support.
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Reducing the risk of breast cancer
Scientists are finding out more and more about ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer. That means you can take steps yourself to reduce the risk of breast cancer. iGene can help by sharing relevant scientific information with you in your iGene Passport.
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Want to reduce your risk of breast cancer?*
An iGene Passport allows you to see straight away whether you have an increased or reduced risk of a large number of hereditary conditions, including breast cancer. If it becomes apparent that you are at an increased risk of breast cancer, you will also receive targeted information on how to reduce this risk.
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A healthy lifestyle thanks to your iGene Passport
For as long as your iGene Passport is active you will continue to receive information based on the latest scientific insights. That means that if important discoveries are made in the future that will help you to reduce the risk of breast cancer even further, you will be able to benefit from them straight away.