Question

You are

. . . a physician’s assistant (PA) in the Genetic Counseling Clinic at Fulwood Medical Center.

Your patient is

. . . Mrs. Patricia Bennet, a 52-year-old office manager with two daughters, aged 30 and 25. Mrs. Bennett’s sister, aged 55, recently had a mastectomy for breast cancer and is now receiving chemotherapy. Their mother died of ovarian cancer in her late fifties.

1. Bennet wants to know her risk for breast or ovarian cancer, what she can do to prevent it, and what her daughters’ risks are?

Answer 1

1. Age is the main risk factor for breast cancer,under 50 years women more chance to get breast cancer
2. Apersonal history of breast cancer:a woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four -fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast.
3. Afamily history of breast cancer:Awoman risk of developing breast cancer double if she has a mother,sister,or daugher who developed the disease under 50 years of age.
4. Genetic risk factors:Around 5%to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary,resulting directly from genes mutations inherited from a parent.
5. Exposure of breast tissue cells to oestrogen:young age at first menstruation,late onset of menopause,not having childrens,late age at birth of first child,contraceptives containing artificial hormones.
6. Lifestyle factors:Being overweight or obese after the menopause,physical activity,a high fat diet,alcohol consumption.