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Breast Cancer 2nd edition pp 57–81Cite as

Genetic Predisposition to Breast Cancer and Genetic Counseling and Testing

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Part of the book series: M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series ((MDCCS))

Hereditary predisposition to breast cancer accounts for approximately 5–10% of all breast cancers. The primary syndrome associated with an increased risk of breast cancer is hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, which is caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. However, there are other hereditary cancer syndromes associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, and ataxia-telangiectasia. Genetic counseling and testing is a key component in the identification of individuals affected by these hereditary breast cancer syndromes. Genetic counseling is the process of educating patients and their families about inherited cancer risks based on their personal and family history and discussing the benefits, risks, limitations, and possible results of genetic testing. Once individuals are identified as having a hereditary breast cancer syndrome, they can be more effectively counseled regarding specific screening and prevention modalities, including chemoprevention and prophylactic surgeries.

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Authors
  1. Kaylene J. Ready
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  2. Banu K. Arun
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Kelly K. Hunt MD

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Geoffrey L. Robb MD

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Eric A. Strom MD

  4. Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Naoto T. Ueno MD, PhD

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© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

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Ready, K.J., Arun, B.K. (2008). Genetic Predisposition to Breast Cancer and Genetic Counseling and Testing. In: Hunt, K.K., Robb, G.L., Strom, E.A., Ueno, N.T. (eds) Breast Cancer 2nd edition. M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34952-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34952-7_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-34950-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-34952-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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