Does Breast Cancer Run in Your Family? Understanding Your Inherited Risk.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, it’s natural to worry about your own health. You might be wondering, “What does this mean for me?” and “Is there anything I can do?”
The good news is that knowledge is power. Understanding if you have an inherited risk can help you take control of your health and create a personalised plan to protect yourself and your family.
What is Inherited Cancer Risk?
Our genes can act like an instruction manual for our bodies. A change (or ‘mutation’) in one of these genes can be passed down through a family. Some genes are vital in keeping our cells healthy, when you inherit a ‘mutation’ in one of these genes cells can turn into cancer cells more easily. This can increase your risk of cancer, which type depends on which gene has a mutation.
One of the most common genes to be mutated and linked to inherited breast cancer is called BRCA1 or B-R-C-A-1. People with a BRCA1 gene mutation won’t definitely get cancer, but it does mean you have a much higher risk than the average person. Finding out if you have a condition like a BRCA1 gene mutation is the first step towards proactive health management.
Family history has a big role in your risk of breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative affected by breast cancer, such as a mother or sister, roughly doubles your risk of breast cancer. In some families we can identify a specific gene change that is passed down through generations such as in BRCA1. Up to 10% of breast cancers are linked to mutations in these genes.
❓ How Can Knowing Your Genetic Risk Help?
Finding out you have an increased risk can feel daunting, but it’s important to remember that this information allows you to take positive steps to manage that risk.
- Create a Personalised Screening Plan: You and your doctor can create a plan that’s right for you. This might mean starting screenings like mammograms earlier and having them more often, which is one of the best ways to catch any problems early. Very high risk women are also often eligible for annual MRI scans of the breast to detect cancers earlier, from 30 years of age.
- Take Preventative Steps: There are proven ways to lower your risk. For some people they may choose to use medication which can reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 50%.
- Protect Your Family: If you are found to have an inherited risk, your close relatives (like your children, brothers, and sisters) can get tested too. This information can help protect the people you love.
- Empower Your Future: Knowing your genetic makeup puts you in the driver’s seat of your health, allowing you to make informed decisions for a healthier future
Dr Lucy's Story
Meet our Co-Founder, Dr Lucy, at 40 years of age, she had always worried about breast cancer after losing her grandmother to the disease. Whilst researching options for patients she discovered inherited cancer testing.
Dr Lucy decided to take an inherited cancer risk test. The results showed she had a mutation in the PALB2 gene, the same condition that likely affected his family members.
While the news was a lot to take in at first, it empowered Dr Lucy to take action:
- A Clear Plan: Dr Lucy and her doctors arranged advanced imaging including MRI scans to make sure to catch any issues as early as possible. She was now also entitled to MRI breast screening every year through the NHS programme. Her results let her get a precise personal breast cancer risk assessment, showing her lifetime risk of breast cancer was 69%.
- Active Prevention: She reviewed her medication to choose hormones which carried a lower risk of breast cancer. She also changed her lifestyle, making time for exercise became a non-negiotable. She also decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy, the surgery has reduced her chance of breast cancer by over 95%.
- Family First: Dr Lucy shared the news with her family members, who got tested and over half of those tested positive for the same mutation. They now also get the power of prevention and personalised care.
Today, Dr Lucy feels in control. She knows her risks and has a clear, proactive plan to stay healthy for herself and her family.
🧐 Who Should Get Genetic Testing for Inherited Breast Cancer?
We believe everyone can benefit from genetic testing to personalise their cancer prevention and early detection.
Genetic testing is strongly recommended for those who have extra risk of gene mutations.
- A personal or family history of breast cancer, especially before age 50.
- Multiple cases of breast or ovarian cancer in close relatives.
- Jewish ancestry, particularly Ashkenazi Jewish, due to a higher prevalence of BRCA mutations.
- A known mutation in the family (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2).
At Coyne Medical we offer testing for everyone.
The NHS offers genetic testing for high-risk individuals. If you would like to check if you are eligible then speak to your NHS GP. They will ask your details of your personal and family history. You may be sent a questionnaire to complete, knowing when and at what age family members were diagnosed is useful. They will work out the chance of you having a mutation in a breast cancer gene such as BRCA1. If your risk is above the threshold for NHS testing you may be offered a consultation and test.
Why Men With A Family History Of Breast Cancer Should Consider Testing
Half of the people with a BRCA1 or 2 mutation, will be biological males. Many men don’t worry about a family history of breast cancer but this is a mistake.
- Breast Cancer: Men with a BRCA1 or 2 mutation have an increased risk of male breast cancer
- It’s important they regularly check their chest and report any changes or lumps.
- Male breast cancer is generally rare, affecting less than 0.02% of men, if they have a BRCA1 or 2 mutation that jumps to 7-9%.
- It is strongly recommended that any male who has breast cancer themselves have genetic testing.
- Prostate Cancer: They have an up to 60% chance of getting prostate cancer in their lifetime. That’s over 8 times the average male.
- Regular screening such as PSA tests can help them detect this earlier.
- We also have newer screening options available at Coyne Medical, including the Stockholm3 test.
- Pancreatic Cancer: The risk of this cancer particularly affects men over 50 years.
- Men with a BRCA1 or 2 mutation have over 7 times the risk of an average male.
How The At-Home Inherited Cancer Risk Test Works
01
Book a video consultation with a doctor
Start with a personalised video appointment to discuss your family history, cancer risk, and what the test involves.
02
Receive your saliva kit at home
We’ll send your test kit directly to your door; no blood, no needles, just spit and send.
03
Test for 30+ cancer-related genes
Including 11 genes linked to breast cancer (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, and more). We also test for inherited risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, bowel, and other cancers.
04
Get your results and a free follow-up with your doctor
We’ll explain exactly what your results mean and help you create a plan for next steps, including prevention or further screening.
Currently in the UK, over 95% of people with BRCA1 gene mutations are undiagnosed.
They are missing out on prevention and early diagnosis. We are on a mission to change that.
Is This Test Right for You?
If you’re worried about your family history of bowel cancer, our at-home test is a simple, confidential way to get answers. It’s a straightforward saliva test that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
The results will provide you and your doctor with the information you need to make the best decisions for your health. Taking the first step can feel big, but it’s a positive move towards peace of mind and a healthier tomorrow.
My Story, and Why This is So Important to Me
This service exists because I’ve been on a similar journey to the one you might be starting now.
A few years ago, while researching the very tests we now offer, I decided to take one myself. The results were life-changing: I discovered I have a mutation in my PALB2 gene, which increases my risk of developing certain cancers.
I understand the wave of emotions that can come with that kind of news. But what I felt most strongly was a sense of clarity and empowerment. For the first time, I had an answer that helped explain my family’s history, and more importantly, I had a clear path forward. The knowledge gave me access to a personalised screening plan and allowed me to take proactive steps to protect my health.
That personal journey from uncertainty to action is the reason I founded this service. I know the anxiety of not knowing, and I know the power that comes from having clear, actionable information. My mission is to make this vital testing more accessible, so that more people and their families can have the same opportunity to take control of their future health.
Dr Lucy Hooper, Co-Founder Coyne Medical Ltd
Your Journey to Peace of Mind Starts Here
Move from uncertainty to empowerment. Get the actionable information you and your doctor need to build a personalised health plan for your future.
🤝 More Support & Resources
If you have concerns about hereditary breast cancer, these support groups and resources can provide guidance and community:
- The National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline – Provides support for those at risk or affected by hereditary breast cancer.
- BRCA1 & 2 and High-Risk Support Group UK (Facebook) – A community for those with BRCA and other high-risk gene mutations.
- PALB2 Warriors (Facebook) – A group dedicated to individuals with PALB2 mutations.
- Breast Cancer Now – A leading UK charity offering information, support, and research funding.
- Jnetics – a charity dedicated to prevention and diagnosis in the Jewish community in the UK.