How much do genetics count?

About 20 to 30 percent of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease. Women whose close relatives have breast cancer have a much higher risk of getting it. If a mother, sister or daughter has the disease, a woman has about double the risk. With two first-degree relatives with breast cancer, her risk increases five-fold, according to the American Cancer Society.

Marcia Frellick

October 5, 2009