It is well established that if a woman has a family history of breast cancer, she is at higher risk of developing the disease herself. But in a new study, researchers claim a family history of prostate cancer may also put women at increased risk of breast cancer, with a family history of both breast and prostate cancers raising this risk even further.
According to a study the large population of women included, according to the researchers, which allowed a more accurate estimation of breast cancer risk among those with a family history of breast cancer, prostate cancer or both.
There is a 78% higher breast cancer risk with family history of breast and prostate cancers.
It is well established that a family history is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, particularly for women who have a first-degree relative with the disease. Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are the most common causes of hereditary breast cancer, which can be inherited from a mother or father.
However, the study is subject to some limitations. For example, the findings were based on a self-reported family history of cancer, which may have been flawed, though the researchers point out that self-reported cancer family histories – particularly among first-degrees relatives – are generally accurate.
