Take action to lower your breast and ovarian cancer risk

Knowing your cancer risk and being proactive about your health may help you take steps to lower your risk for getting breast or ovarian cancer, or find it at an early stage. One in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women has a BRCA gene mutation, compared to one in 500 women in the general population, putting them at an increased risk for breast cancer at a young age.Learn Your Family History of CancerAsking relatives about their cancer histories can be hard. Follow these tips:\u2022 Share that you have learned that cancers can run in families.\u2022 Explain that you are creating a record of your family\u2019s history of cancer.\u2022 Encourage family members to respond in a way that is most comfortable to them.\u2022 Word your questions carefully, be a good listener, and respect their privacy.\u2022 Write down who had cancer, age when diagnosed, and type of cancer.Understand Genetic Counseling and TestingGenetic counseling and testing are recommended for women whose family medical history has certain patterns of cancer.What is Genetic Counseling?Genetic counseling can help you understand your risk based on your personal and family medical history.You will discuss things like:\u2022 If a genetic test is right for you.\u2022 Specific tests that might be used and their accuracy.\u2022 Possible genetic test results and next steps.\u2022 How a test result might not give you all the information you need.\u2022 The emotional risks and benefits of genetic testing.\u2022 How genetic test results may affect other family members.Did You Know? Inherited mutations are thought to play a role in 5-10% of breast and 10-15% of ovarian cancers.What is Genetic Testing?Genetic testing helps you learn if your family history of breast cancer is due to a specific inherited gene mutation. It\u2019s done with a blood or saliva sample, at a doctor\u2019s office, hospital, or clinic.Genetic test results are a factor in determining overall risk.Results can help you understand your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers and steps you can take to reduce your risk.A positive test result does not mean you will definitely get breast or ovarian cancer. If you test negative for a specific gene mutation, you still may be at an increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer.Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes\u2022 Maintain a healthy weight\u2022 Get enough physical activity\u2022 Breastfeed your babiesIncrease the chance of finding breast cancer early, when it\u2019s easier to treat.\u2022 Know how your breasts normally look and feel.\u2022 Talk to your doctor right away if you notice changes in your breast.\u2022 Talk to your doctor if you have a higher risk, including a family history of cancer.TakeAction_Infographic_Jewish.jpg201