Q. Is breast cancer genetic?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes and no. The vast majority of breast cancers are caused by DNA damage that occurs randomly throughout a woman's life. However, there are some rare cases of breast cancer that are passed down in families through genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. About 5-10% of all breast cancers are caused by these genes.
In a small number of cases, breast cancer is caused by inherited gene mutations. These mutations are passed from parent to child and increase the risk that a person will develop breast cancer. About 5-10% of all breast cancers are thought to be hereditary.
The most common type of hereditary breast cancer is caused by an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. women who have these genes have a higher than average risk of developing breast cancer. Other factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer include obesity, lack of exercise, and drinking alcohol.