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Tina T's picture

Should Girls Be Tested for Breast Cancer If There's A History of Disease in the Family?

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ABC ran a pretty interesting story about women who are having their daughters tested for breast cancer if they have a history of the condition in their families. While many women are also opting out of the tests for their children, there is no shortage of controversy.

What are your thoughts? If you were a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer, would you want your young daughter tested? Would it cause unnecessary worry? Do you consider it proactive?


     
     
hernews's picture

BRCA Mutations Don't Spot All High-Risk Women -- Family History And Atypical Cells Also Indicate High Risk Of Second Cancer

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MONDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) -- In women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, having a known mutation in the BRCA 1 or 2 genes raises the risk of a second cancer, and many of these women choose to have their second breast removed before that has a chance to happen.

However, new research suggests that women who don't have these genetic mutations may still face an increased risk of a second cancer, especially if they have a family history of breast cancer or atypical breast cells.