My Breakthrough
Prevention and treatment
If you have concerns about your family history of breast cancer the first step is to find out whether you are at increased risk. If your family history shows that you may have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to other women in the general population, certain options are available to you.
The options available to you depend on whether you have:
No significant family history
The following options are available to all women, whatever their risk of developing breast cancer:
- Breast awareness. It is a good idea for everyone to be aware of what is normal for their breasts, so that they will notice any unusual changes and can have them checked.
- Some people also choose to alter lifestyle factors to decrease their risk of developing breast
cancer. - As most people's chance of developing breast cancer increases as they get older the NHS Breast Screening Programme becomes available from the age of 50 onwards. You will be invited to have a free mammogram every 3 years until the age of 70. By the end of this year the screening program will be extended to all women up to the age of 70. You are entitled to continue to have free mammograms on the NHS every 3 years after this age, but will no longer be sent an invitation.
Moderate family history
However, in addition to the above, new NICE
guidelines state that you are now entitled to annual mammographic screening at an earlier age than you would normally enter the NHS Breast Screening Programme. This is to make sure that if cancer does develop, it is identified and treated as soon as possible.
Strong family history
As the risk of developing breast cancer is greater than anyone at population or moderate risk you may also be offered risk-reducing surgery.
Also within "Family history"
