With breast cancer being the most common type of cancer across the world, it has become a widespread assumption that having relatives with breast cancer is a significant risk factor, and that women with no history of the disease in their family do not need to worry as much. Hereditary breast cancer is most often considered to be linked with the maternal line while a history of this cancer on the father’s side of the family is not taken as seriously.

Fact:

It is important to highlight the fact that the highest risk factor is the aging process as the majority of cases develop in women over the age of fifty. Of women who do develop the disease, the majority do not have it in their family. According to the magazine Health, approximately 70% of breast cancer patients do not have any identifiable risk factors. However, for a person with a first-degree relative who is diagnosed with the disease, that is a parent or sibling, the chances that this person might develop it do become higher. This is not to say however that people with no history are at a lesser risk since the contributing factors are numerous. All aging women are equally at risk.

While a history of cancer on one’s mother’s side of the family could be a serious risk factor, the history of the father’s side of the family is equally as important. Though it is not the main factor, cancer does occur in some families more than in others on account of their genetic makeup. And hereditary breast cancer does not only descend from the maternal side. The inherited mutated gene that causes hereditary breast cancer could be inherited from the mother or the father. Moreover, hereditary cancer can also skip a generation; meaning that if a person’s grandparents had it, they are also susceptible. A family history of ovarian cancer can also increase one’s risk. The equation then is not one of simple causation. People without incidences in their families are at equal risk with those who do. And those who do have it in their family need to examine both paternal and maternal lines for two generations back.