10/08/2026
How much do you know about your family’s cancer history?
Family history is one of several factors that can help inform conversations about breast-cancer risk. It can be useful to know whether close relatives have had breast cancer, whether several relatives on either side of the family have been affected, and approximately how old they were when they were diagnosed. A family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer in a male relative may also be important information to share.
Family history is only one part of the picture. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will develop breast cancer, and not everyone diagnosed with breast cancer has a known family-history risk factor.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a little time to ask questions, write down what you learn, and share your family cancer history with your healthcare provider.
Know your history. Bring it into the conversation.