Yesterday National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week kicked off. It’s important for all women to learn their risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.
Did you know these two diseases are linked, especially for women with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?
How would you even know if you had a mutation? The CDC offers a free tool through the Know:BRCA website, as well as resources and information on breast and ovarian cancer.
The wonderful organizers of the national #30DaysofTeal efforts at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance also share the following information about the link between breast and ovarian cancer:
Family history also contributes to a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. Women who have one first-degree relative with ovarian cancer but no known genetic mutation still have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The lifetime risk of a woman who has a first degree relative with ovarian cancer is five percent (the average woman’s lifetime risk is 1.4 percent).
Family history of any of the following cancers may indicate an increased risk: Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer, Colon cancer, Pancreatic cancer and Uterine cancer.
I shared Jennifer’s story and more information on knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer over at the Columbia City Mom’s blog this weekend. I hope you’ll take a minute to read about her.
Check out the Halloween wraps and support the Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser
Janine Huldie says
September 28, 2015 at 2:35 pmdidn’t know this and definitely learned something new here today. Thanks Alexa for sharing!
Chris Carter says
September 28, 2015 at 2:44 pmSOOO IMPORTANT. I didn’t know it was National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week! I think you know that I have a personal experience with this mutation. BRCA 1 that is. After getting the results and researching my risk along with a other risk factors that contributed to my increased risk- I was strongly encouraged to have the ‘end all’ surgeries to ensure I don’t get either breast or ovarian cancer. It was a hard year for sure. Double mastectomy, reconstruction, and full hysterectomy. With two sick little kids to boot. But oh what a blessing to be given the gift of knowing. Out of four girls, three had the mutation. Three of us had all these surgeries.
I thank my oldest sister for pushing us to get tested after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and found out she had the mutation. Thankfully, six years later she is still a fighter who is winning the battle!