Hereditary Breast Cancer: BRCA Mutations & Beyond

While there are several steps we can take to reduce cancer risk, some risk factors, like breast density and genetic makeup, are beyond our control. Although around one third of breast cancer cases are thought to arise from lifestyle factors like inactivity and alcohol consumption,[1] 5–10% are believed to result from hereditary gene mutations.[2] The most common of these mutations are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; however, mutations of other genes can also contribute to breast cancer development.