| If you are concerned about familial breast cancer, | | | | early in women at increased risk - clinical studies |
| the first step is to talk things over with your GP | | | | are currently researching this issue. |
| or Genetic Counsellor. | | | | Because of this, women aged 30 to 39 will be |
| You will be asked about your family history and | | | | offered mammograms only as part of a research |
| ethnic background, as well as any blood relatives, | | | | study rather than as a matter of routine. |
| on either side of your family, who have had | | | | Women under the age of 30 are unlikely to be |
| breast or related cancers. | | | | offered mammograms, as younger women's |
| If a faulty breast cancer gene has already been | | | | breast tissue is too dense to produce a clear |
| identified in a family member, you may be | | | | mammogram picture. |
| referred directly to a specialist genetic service. | | | | Genetic counselling |
| Once your GP or Genetic Counsellor has taken a | | | | If you are considered to be at high risk of |
| full family history, your risk of developing breast | | | | developing breast cancer you will be offered |
| cancer can be assessed. | | | | specialist genetic counselling. |
| Most women will be at no greater risk than any | | | | This will give you more information about your |
| other woman. | | | | family history, how your lifestyle may affect you, |
| If this is the case your counsellor should discuss | | | | what having a genetic test means, and the |
| this with you and provide you with some written | | | | options available to you if you choose to go |
| information on being breast aware and lifestyle | | | | ahead with the test. |
| risks. | | | | You may feel anxious about finding out about |
| However, if you develop any breast changes or if | | | | your risk of developing breast cancer, but |
| your family history or circumstances alter, it is | | | | remember that your counsellor is trained to deal |
| important to go back and see your GP. | | | | with these issues. |
| An increased risk | | | | Testing |
| A small number of women may be viewed as | | | | The test (Screening of BRCA1 and BRCA2) is |
| having a greater risk of developing breast cancer | | | | done by Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences, |
| on the grounds of a strong family history. | | | | Dubai on a blood sample from a living relative who |
| If this applies to you, you will be classified as | | | | has already developed breast or ovarian cancer. |
| having one of the following:o a moderate risko a | | | | The results can take many months to complete, |
| high risk. | | | | as it is technically very difficult to identify the |
| You will then be referred to either a family | | | | faulty gene. |
| history clinic or a specialist in cancer genetics. The | | | | If it is found that you do carry the faulty gene, |
| type of care you receive will be depending on | | | | although you will not necessarily develop breast |
| your risk level. | | | | cancer, you do have a higher risk of doing so. |
| Screening | | | | In Ashkenazi Jewish women, specialists already |
| Depending on your age, you may be offered a | | | | know that there are three specific gene faults in |
| mammogram. | | | | a large proportion of the families where breast |
| Women between the ages of 40 and 49 will | | | | and ovarian cancer is common. |
| normally be offered annual mammograms. | | | | This means that testing may be offered to |
| However, it is currently unclear how effective | | | | relatives at high risk without needing to carry out |
| mammograms are in detecting breast cancer | | | | the gene search. |