Yes. You can inherit a breast cancer gene abnormality from either your mother OR your father. If one of your parents has a breast cancer gene abnormality, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene from him or her.
Abnormalities in breast cancer genes, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. For example, women with an abnormality in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a 3 to 7 times greater risk of developing breast cancer than do other women.
However, even if you do inherit a breast cancer gene abnormality, it does not mean that you will get breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Women who have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene have a 50% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have a mutation in the BRCA2 gene have a 50%-60% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.[1]
Your risk of developing breast cancer depends on the specific gene abnormality, the pattern of its behavior in your family, other risk factors (for example, diet and lifetime exposure to estrogen), and the uniqueness of your own body.
Remember that you can take charge of maintaining breast health. Be diligent about monitoring the health of your breasts and staying current with self breast exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms. Consult your doctor for advice on other preventative measures that you can consider.
The key is to not allow yourself to be consumed with worry. A healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude are great contributors to wellness.
REFERENCE:
1. American Cancer Society. Glossary.
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