Familial breast cancer: Genetics and counseling

Hereditary breast cancer (HBC) accounts for 5-10% of all breast cancer cases. A family history of breast cancer has long been ecognized as a significant risk factor for breast cancer. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for about 40% of the cases. So, overall they constitute less than 5% of all of the breast cancer cases. With increasing awareness women with family history often overestimate their personal risk for breast cancer and may view themselves as candidate for genetic testing. Identification of high risk cases needing genetic counseling and DNA testing is needed. In this article we have reviewed the genetics of breast cancer and the genetic counseling protocol to meet the needs of women with family history of breast cancer.