Breast Cancer Risk Management
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Sign Up for FORCE NewslettersBreast Cancer Risk Management
Every person is at risk for breast cancer and the risk increases with age. The average lifetime risk for breast cancer in women is about 13 percent. This means that one out of every eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, usually after age 60. The average risk for male breast cancer is very low, less than 1 percent. People with an inherited mutation in the genes listed below have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, often at a younger age.
Genetic counseling and testing can help you learn if you have an inherited mutation in one of these genes. There are expert guidelines for breast cancer risk management, which are based on your level of risk. See below for more information about different risk -management options. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a risk management plan and schedule that is right for you.
In the News
![A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/65bac28bd2a72.jpg)
Update : A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation
A breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in early clinical trials. Initially, the vaccine was tested in people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who were at high risk for recurrence. Now the vaccine is being...
Risk-Management Options
Screening
Screening for breast cancer uses tests to try to catch cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable. Finding breast cancer at an early stage increases a person’s chance of survival.
Medications to Reduce Risk
Medications are available to lower breast cancer risk in high-risk women. Others are being tested as part of clinical research studies.
Surgery to Reduce Risk
“Prophylactic mastectomy” or "risk-reducing mastectomy" refers to the removal of healthy breasts to reduce a person's risk of developing breast cancer.
Participate in Breast Cancer Prevention Research
Below are some of our featured research studies looking at new ways to screen for or prevent breast cancer. To search for additional studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
![Denosumab for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction in Women With an Inherited BRCA1 Mutation (The Breast Cancer Prevention Study)](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/research/images/634210d55013a.png)
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04711109
![Testing a Vaccine for Preventing or Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/research/images/65bba94822632.jpg)
Testing a Vaccine for Preventing or Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04674306
![Testing a Vaccine for Cancer Prevention in People with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/research/images/621d1ebf8b463.jpg)
Testing a Vaccine for Cancer Prevention in People with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04367675
![Restoring Sensation after DIEP Flap Reconstruction](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/research/images/635f278db6052.jpg)
Restoring Sensation after DIEP Flap Reconstruction
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT04533373
![Helping Latinas Understand Their Risk for Breast Cancer and Get Breast Cancer Care](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=500,height=330,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/research/images/648a2710f1f69.jpg)
Helping Latinas Understand Their Risk for Breast Cancer and Get Breast Cancer Care
Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:
NCT05483283