Breast Cancer in Canada
Approximately 1 in 8 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
That's why it's important to know your normal, pay attention to changes in your body, advocate for your health, and speak with your healthcare provider if something doesn't feel right. While breast cancer is most common in women, it can affect anyone with breast tissue, including men.
Women are typically exposed to higher levels of the hormones
estrogen and
progesterone throughout their lives. These hormones can influence breast cancer risk and may contribute to the growth of certain types of breast cancer.
Prevention & Early Detection
- Understand BRCA & Your Risk
- How BRCA Mutations Affect Risk
- What’s The Next Step?
- Understanding Your Results
Understand BRCA & Your Risk
BRCA1 (Breast Cancer Gene 1) and BRCA2 (Breast Cancer Gene 2) are genes found in everyone. These genes help repair damaged DNA and regulate how cells grow and divide. Because of this, they are known as tumour suppressor genes.
When a mutation occurs in BRCA1 or BRCA2, the gene may not function properly. This can make it harder for the body to prevent abnormal cell growth and may increase the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer.
You Can Inherit More Than Your Looks
A BRCA gene mutation can be inherited from either parent. If one parent carries a BRCA mutation, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation.
Your family history can provide important clues about your inherited risk of breast cancer. You may have an increased likelihood of carrying a BRCA mutation if your family history includes:
- Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50
- A relative diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancer
- Family members diagnosed with cancer in both breasts
- A personal or family history of ovarian cancer, male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic or high-risk prostate cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
How BRCA Mutations Affect Risk
Women who inherit a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation may have up to an 85% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
They are also more likely to:
- Develop breast cancer at a younger age, often before menopause
- Develop cancer in both breasts
- Develop a second breast cancer after a diagnosis in one breast
Men who inherit a BRCA mutation also have an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly those with a BRCA2 mutation.
Genetic testing: What’s The Next Step?
If you are concerned about your family history, ancestry, or inherited risk of breast cancer, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help assess your risk and determine whether genetic counselling or genetic testing may be appropriate for you.
Genetic testing is a medical test that looks for changes (mutations) in genes, chromosomes, or proteins that may increase the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is typically done using a blood or saliva sample.
Understanding Your Results
It's important to remember that genetic test results do not provide definitive answers about whether you will or will not develop cancer.
- A positive result means you have a genetic mutation associated with an increased cancer risk, but it does not mean you will definitely develop cancer.
- A negative result means no known genetic mutation was identified, but it does not eliminate your risk of developing cancer.
Genetic counselling can help you understand your results, your personal risk, and any next steps for you and your family.
Knowledge is Power
Understanding your genetic risk can help you make informed decisions about your health, screening options, and preventive care.
The more you know, the better equipped you are to take charge of your breast health.
