What Daughters of Breast Cancer Patients Should Know

A repost from the WSJ Health Online. http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/06/13/what-daughters-of-women-with-breast-cancer-should-know/
"...General advice for lowering breast-cancer risk also applies to the prevention of many chronic diseases: eat a healthful diet, reach and stay at a healthy weight, get regular exercise, cap alcohol consumption at five drinks a week (for those of legal age) and don’t smoke. (other advice includes minimizing exposure to chemicals and hormones that may be associated with a higher risk.)  Young women with a relative who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation or who have a strong family history of the disease should talk to a physician or a genetic counselor about getting tested or about starting regular mammograms earlier. The National Cancer Institute says criteria for considering genetic testing include two first-degree relatives — meaning a mother or sister — who have the disease (one first-degree relative for women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent) and other patterns of different types of cancer in the family tree.  Relatives diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age — under 50 and particularly under 40 — are more relevant than those diagnosed at 70 or 80.   ...Eeven a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation only raises the risk of developing breast cancer — it doesn’t guarantee it. “The wear and tear of living,” lifestyle choices, and environmental factors also play a role, making advice on that point relevant for everyone."

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Pass on this blog to everyone you know and educate someone today about some breast cancer facts.  You could be saving some young or older woman's life.