An approach to the patient with a family history of breast cancer.
This eleventh article in our series on breast disease discusses the management of a patient with a family history of breast disease. Apart from increasing age and female gender, family history is the most important risk factor for breast cancer. However, women with a family history of breast cancer often overestimate their risk of developing the disease. Much of the clinician's role is to reassure the patient and clarify the risk based on a careful assessment of the family history.
Kirk
Judy
J
Familial Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales.
Brennan
Meagan
M
Houssami
Nehmet
N
Ung
Owen
O
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors