Could I be diagnosed with Breast Cancer even though I don’t have a family history?
by: María Acevedo
Yes, it is possible. From what I have read, anyone can be diagnosed with Breast Cancer, even men. Breast Cancer in males continues being a low percentage.[i] Yes, it is true that a person with a family history will be considered as high risk, but it’s important to note that it is most common in patients without a family history.[ii] Also, if any male member in your family has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer you may be considered as high risk too[iii]. Another detail is that there are many factors that may increase the possibility of being diagnosed. For example, race, ethnicity, early growth, early periods, and genes can increase someone’s risk of being diagnosed.
Overall, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women, although the gap between them has been closing in recent years. In African American women under the age of 45, breast cancer is more common. African American women are also more likely to die from breast cancer at any age. Asians, Hispanics, and Native American women have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer.
The risk of breast cancer varies depending on the ethnic group as well. For example, African American women are more likely to have the less than common and more aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.
It’s important to note that most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. But women who have close blood relatives with breast cancer have a higher risk:
Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer almost doubles a woman’s risk. Having 2 first-degree relatives increases her risk about 3-fold.
Women with a father or brother who has had breast cancer also have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Overall, about 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this disease.[iv]
That I know of, I have no family history of breast cancer until recently when a close relative was diagnosed. She's a fighter and a survivor. I don’t know which stage she was on at the moment when she was diagnosed, nor do I know if she may have had more than one treatment option, but one thing that I’m sure of is that chemotherapy was one of the treatments. Meanwhile, one of the symptoms that I know she had and is very common was hair loss. At the time I didn’t know she had Breast Cancer. I only found out later on after another relative told me. The person diagnosed is very reserved when it comes to her private life. I got in a bit of a panic when I found out and I didn’t know how to approach her on the subject, nor how to give her my support. All I know is that when she was diagnosed, she apparently didn't tell anyone until she was personally ready to do so and until she thought she was more under control of the situation. Only then did she finally decide to break the news to the family. After diagnosis, she chose the options to remove and reconstructed her breasts. This all happened a few years ago, but she beat the cancer and is now a survivor and a very happy mother. In my point of view this is a very important reason to continue spreading awareness and educating people. Learning how to give emotional support, promoting the practice of self-examination, and visiting your doctor annually or every 6 months for a full check-up, can greatly help in early detection. It may also be an important key for better treatment results. For those who are worried for their health, you are not alone.
[i]Myth: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only
[ii] Myth: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too
[iii] Breast Cancer Risk Factors You Cannot Change
On this page: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing breast cancer
[iv] Breast Cancer Risk Factors You Cannot Change