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Let’s be Upfront about hereditary breast cancer. It’s widely known that inherited genetic mutations, or faults in genes associated with breast cancer such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, can occur in some families and increase the risk of breast cancer.

But what does the term ‘family history’ of breast cancer mean? What does a positive genetic test mean for someone’s breast cancer risk? What preventative measures are available to someone with a genetic mutation? What about the emotional impact the presence of genetic variants has on individuals and families?

To unpack all these questions and much more, we’re joined by BCNA member Sam DiCicco. Sam has an extensive family history of breast cancer, and tested positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation in 2000 before a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis in 2007. Sam’s mother and sister are also carriers of the gene along with her eldest daughter, with her youngest daughter about to be tested for the mutation.

We’re also joined on the podcast by Associate Professor Dr Yoland Antill, a medical oncologist whose work and research interests lie in the areas of hereditary cancer risk and breast and gynaecological cancers. She has more than 20 years' experience in both medical oncology and in the diagnosis and management of hereditary cancer syndromes.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up for the My Journey online tool view articles on breast cancer risk in families.
• Visit our Online Network where you can connect with other people who are going through, or have been through, breast cancer.
• Family cancer clinics provide services for people with a family history of cancer. The service is offered to family members whether or not they have been diagnosed with cancer. Find your local service here.
• Check out iPrevent, a breast cancer risk assessment and risk management decision support tool developed by researchers at Peter Maccallum Cancer Centre.

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258