Managing Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

(Myriad, A Patient’s Guide to risk assessment, Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, 2004-2009)

• Increased Surveillance
  • Monthly breast self exams (ages 18-21)
  • Annual or semiannual clinical breast exams (ages 25-35)
  • Yearly mammography/MRI (ages 25-35)
  • Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound and testing for CA-125 to screen for ovarian cancer (ages 25-35)
• Chemoprevention
  • Drugs such as tamoxifen have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high risk women.
  • Oral contraceptives may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
• Preventive Surgery
  • Preventive mastectomy significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
  • Preventive removal of the ovaries significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, and also breast cancer, in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.