Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime but some people can inherit gene faults that increase their risk of developing cancer.
I want to raise awareness of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes which you can inherit from either your mother's or father's side of the family. For women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 abnormality, the risk of developing breast cancer in your lifetime is between about 40% and 85% — about 3 to 7 times greater than that of a woman who does not have the mutation.
If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, get tested! If you test positive for abnormal BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 gene and you
have never had breast cancer, you will be more prepared in knowing that you are at much higher-than-average risk of developing it over the course of your lifetime and can be more vigilant!
