Can a 66-year-old with lobular breast cancer pass risk?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, and my genetic testing came back negative, which was a relief. However, I still worry about my daughters.

Can someone aged 66 with lobular breast cancer and no known genetic mutation still pass an increased risk to daughters?
Does family risk exist even without BRCA (Breast Cancer Gene) or other known mutations?
Should my daughters start screening earlier anyway?

I do not want to scare them, but I also do not want to miss something preventable. It is difficult to understand what is truly inherited risk versus bad luck, and how much vigilance is enough.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq. com.

I have read your query.

First of all, it is completely understandable to feel stressed after being diagnosed with breast cancer. However, not every case of breast cancer has a hereditary genetic cause.

You have already undergone BRCA (breast cancer gene) testing, and the result was negative, which is reassuring. This suggests that no currently known inherited BRCA mutation associated with hereditary breast cancer was identified.

However, it is important to understand that breast cancer can sometimes occur due to a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental, and age-related factors.

There are several genes associated with breast cancer risk, and research is still ongoing to better understand additional genetic mutations and inherited patterns.

A negative BRCA result significantly lowers the likelihood of a strong hereditary breast cancer syndrome, but it does not completely eliminate all possible inherited risk factors.

Lobular breast cancer can run in families even without a detected mutation particularly when there's a strong history of breast or ovarian cancer on either side. That said, if no close relatives have been affected and there's no pattern of early-onset cancer in your family, the inherited risk to your daughters is generally considered low.

Your daughters should still follow standard breast health recommendations. These include regular breast self-awareness, routine clinical examinations, and age-appropriate breast cancer screening such as mammography.

In some cases, doctors may recommend starting screening earlier than the general population, especially if there is a significant family history.

At present, based on your negative genetic testing, there is no confirmed evidence that you have passed a known hereditary breast cancer mutation to your daughters. Therefore, there is no need for panic, but maintaining regular screening and awareness is always important.

I hope this explanation provides reassurance and helps clarify the difference between inherited risk and non-hereditary breast cancer.

I hope this is clear, and if you have any questions at any time, please feel free to ask.

Thank you.