ABSTRACT

Technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have led to a decline in deaths from breast cancer but the disease prevalence is increasing. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women worldwide and the most common cause of cancer. Today’s advanced gene panel testing combined with genetic counseling will assess risk levels and improve patient surveillance and personalized risk-reduction strategies. Risk factors for carrying a breast and ovarian cancer gene include: breast cancer diagnosed before age 50; ovarian cancer at any age; and male breast cancer at any age. Hormone replacement therapy has been used for years to treat the “symptoms” of menopause. An important study in 2017 concluded that women using oral contraceptives or implanted intrauterine devices that contained the hormone progestin overall experienced a 20% increase in the relative risk of breast cancer compared to nonusers. Tamoxifen is approved for prevention in premenopausal women at high risk.