Open AccessThe woman at increased risk for breast cancer: Evaluation andmanagement strategies
Author(s) -
Bilimoria Malcolm M.,
Morrow Monica
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/canjclin.45.5.263
Subject(s) - breast cancer , medicine , risk management , risk analysis (engineering) , cancer , business , finance
Increased understanding of risk factors for breast cancer, especially the identification of genes associated with a predisposition to breast cancer, has focused attention on the issue of breast cancer prevention. At present, the only clinically available method of breast cancer prevention is prophylactic mastectomy. However, there are no absolute indications for its use, and it is not often appropriate in relation to actual risk for disease. This article reviews what is known about major breast cancer risk factors, reviews the available data on prophylactic mastectomy, and discusses current strategies for the management of the woman at increased risk for breast cancer.