Some of the studies listed on BCT are open only to women at high risk of developing breast cancer. A woman may be considered high risk because she:

• Has a family history of breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) who has had breast cancer doubles your risk. Having two first-degree relatives increases risk about three-fold. Having a father or brother who has had breast cancer also increases your risk.
• Has had genetic testing and has been found to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. You can learn more about BRCA genetic mutations here.
• Has had a breast biopsy that found atypical hyperplasia (abnormal looking, though not cancerous, breast cells).

• Has a number of the known risk factors for developing breast cancer. You can learn more about the known risk factors here.

Doctors often use a risk assessment tool developed by the National Cancer Institute to estimate a woman’s breast cancer risk. You can learn more about this tool here.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is recommended for all women who are considering being tested for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Your health care provider should be able to refer you to a genetic counselor in your area. These websites can also be helpful:

• National Society of Genetic Counselors
• National Cancer Institute: Cancer Genetics Services Directory