Jyoti Singh Jyoti Singh Asked 5 months ago

Is breast cancer hereditary?

My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and her doctor asked about family history. It got me thinking, is this something that gets passed down through generations?

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6 answers

Sunita Kulkarni Sunita Kulkarni Joined May 2026 5 months ago
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Some breast cancers can be hereditary, but not all. Just like I get my thyroid tests done, women with a family history of cancer should get regular checkups and genetic screening if recommended by a doctor.

Vikram Singhal Vikram Singhal Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

It can be hereditary, yes, specifically if you carry the BRCA gene mutation. If you are worried, get a gene test done instead of guessing.

Meera Sen Meera Sen Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

It is completely natural to feel anxious if you have seen a family member go through this. While it is hereditary in some cases, please remember that most diagnoses are sporadic.

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Consult a radiation oncologist

Harish Patel Harish Patel Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

There is a small hereditary link, but maintaining a healthy weight and controlling blood sugar is crucial as metabolic health also impacts overall cancer risk.

Rohan Das Rohan Das Joined May 2026 5 months ago

My biology professor said only about 5 to 10 percent of cases are actually hereditary. Most of the time it is just lifestyle or environmental factors.

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Sister Shiny Sister Shiny Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Hereditary risk is real if multiple close relatives had breast or ovarian cancer. If that is your situation, speak to your gynaecologist about starting screenings early.

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