Options for Women at Higher Risk

Some risk factors put women at a high risk of breast cancer.

Women at higher risk of breast cancer

Factors linked to a high risk of breast cancer include [163]:

• A BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation (and first-degree relatives (parents, siblings and children) of people with BRCA1/2 gene mutations who have not been tested for BRCA1/2 gene mutations themselves)
• A personal history of invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
• A personal history of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia
• Radiation treatment to the chest area between ages 10-30
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Cowden/PTEN syndrome (and first-degree relatives)
• An ATM, BARD1, CDH1, CHEK2, NF1, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11 or TP53 inherited gene mutation
• A greater than 20% lifetime risk of invasive breast cancer based mainly on family history (Estimate your lifetime risk or learn more about risk.)

Some factors are linked to a modest increase in breast cancer risk (such as usual hyperplasia). Having more than one of these factors may also put a woman at high risk.

Talk with your health care provider about your risk of breast cancer.

Learn more about estimating breast cancer risk.

Breast cancer screening

There are special screening guidelines for some women at higher than average risk of breast cancer [38,163].

If you’re at higher risk of breast cancer, talk with your health care provider about the screening plan that’s best for you. You may need to be screened earlier and more often than other women.

Learn more about breast cancer screening for women at higher risk.

Risk-lowering options for women who do not have breast cancer

If you have a high risk of breast cancer, options to lower your risk may include:

• Risk-lowering drugs
• Risk-reducing mastectomy
• Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy

Talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of these options. You may want to get a second opinion.

Take the time to make decisions that are right for you. Don’t feel you need to rush. 

Insurance issues and financial assistance

If you have insurance issues (such as what to do if a claim is denied) or need help paying for genetic testing, risk-lowering drugs or other out-of-pocket expenses, there are resources that may help.

Learn about insurance and financial assistance programs.

Prescription drug assistance

Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy. Or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.

You may also qualify for assistance from programs that help with drug costs, or offer low-cost or free prescriptions.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance plans (started on or after September 24, 2014) to cover the cost (with no co-payments) of the risk-lowering drugs tamoxifen and raloxifene for women at high risk of breast cancer. Learn more about this coverage.

Generic drugs are available for tamoxifen and raloxifene. Generic drugs cost less than name brand drugs but are just as effective.

Learn more about prescription drug assistance programs.

Komen Financial Assistance Program

Susan G. Komen® offers the Komen Financial Assistance Program to eligible individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment at any stage or living with metastatic breast cancer (stage 4). Financial assistance is granted to those who meet pre-determined eligibility criteria. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español.

Susan G. Komen® Support Resources

If you or a loved one needs more information about breast health or breast cancer, contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. All calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology social worker, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. Se habla español. Komen Patient Navigators can help guide you through the health care system. They can help to remove barriers to high-quality breast care. For example, they can help you with insurance, local resources, communication with health care providers and more. Call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org to learn more about our Patient Navigator program, including eligibility. Komen’s Breast Cancer Facebook group and Metastatic Breast Cancer Facebook group provide places where those with a connection to breast cancer can share their experiences and build strong relationships with each other. Our fact sheets, booklets and other education materials offer additional information.