Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is an inherited syndrome in which individuals are at increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer as well as developing the breast cancer at an earlier age. Mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 account for the majority of families with the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC). It is estimated that approximately 1 in 500 individuals carry a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation, however in Ashkenazi Jews, the estimate is 1 in 40.
There are methods of surveillance and preventive treatments available for this high risk group, thus identifying at risk individuals is important. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, evaluating a patient’s risk should be a routine par of obstetric and gynecologic practice.
Persons with any of the following personal or family history may be candidates for hereditary cancer testing.
- Breast cancer before age 50
- Ovarian cancer at any age
- Both breast and ovarian cancer in an individual at any age
- 2 or more breast cancers in a family, one under age 50
- Male breast cancer at any age
- 2 primary breast cancers in an individual at any age
- Women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with breast or ovarian cancer at any age
- A previously identified BRCA mutation in the family
- Lynch Syndrome, which includes families with a history of individuals with endometrial cancer before age 50, colorectal cancer before age 50, and ovarian cancer.
If you or a family member developed breast or ovarian cancer and your family history is suggestive of an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer based upon the above criteria, but you or your family member did not receive counseling and testing about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer please contact my office for a consultation. E-mail me