ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide in both the developed and less developed world. It is thus common practice for women to disclose a family history of breast cancer. Early stratification of the level of individual risk using risk assessment tools may help to differentiate those at high risk of developing the disease in the general population. Most women can be safely reassured that they are not at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Those with significant family history (e.g., BRCA1/2 mutation carriers) should be offered appropriate early screening, genetic assessment or testing, and treatment if appropriate. This chapter summarizes the international evidence base on identifying individuals at increased risk of developing breast cancer and a recommended strategy for the assessment and management of the high-risk breast cancer patient.
