Genes and Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer cases that occur in younger women can very often be of the more aggressive kind than for older women, thus showing a poorer response to the treatment. A characteristic form of the gene expression was initially associated with the younger breast cancer patients. This is not the pattern of any specific individual genes, but it is rather certain groups of genes that share similar functions like cellular signaling and even survival.


These tumors can also show a different kind of pattern of the cell-surface receptors. Intensive genetic therapy and counseling is needed before the patients undergo any genetic tests to check for breast cancer. During the course of the educational counseling session, the first step is for the health care provider to fully explain the benefits and even risks that go along with genetic testing.


He should also help to answer any kind of questions that the patient may have. They will need to get a family pedigree to help determine if there exists a cancer development pattern that is within the patient’s family. A family pedigree is that chart which helps to show the person’s ancestors genetic makeup. It is used to help in analyzing the inherited diseases or characteristics within the patient’s family.

After the doctor outlines the patient’s family pedigree, then a blood test will be given to the patient to determine if they have any breast cancer genes. Always remember that the majority of the breast cancer cases need not be associated with any breast cancer gene. Also, scientists are not sure of all the genes that can result in breast cancer, hence doctors test the patient’s for only the known genes.

When a person who has a cancer diagnosis and also has a family history of the same disease have been tested and have been found to contain an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, then the  family is termed as having a known mutation. If there is an association between breast cancer development and when a breast cancer gene is made, then the next step involves needing all the family members participating in the genetic testing by giving a sample of their blood. For some people their tests results are vital in helping them get guidance on future health care conditions and decisions. This is important even for their families.  Some women opt for preventive mastectomy to lower the chances of them developing breast cancer, even though this does not assure of a complete protection.