Family history of breast cancer

If you have a history of breast cancer in your family and are worried you might be at increased risk of developing it yourself, you need to discuss this with your GP. If your GP feels that you might be at increased risk, they will refer you to the breast cancer family history clinic to be assessed.

You will be asked to complete a family history questionnaire (see bottom of this page). You may be asked to complete this questionnaire electronically using My Medical Record, or you will be sent a paper copy which must be completed and sent back to us before your appointment. You will not be offered an appointment until the questionnaire is completed.

Your appointment is likely to be conducted over the phone by a breast consultant or an advanced clinical practitioner with specialist expertise in caring for patients with a family history of breast cancer. Your family history questionnaire will be reviewed and an assessment made as to which risk category you fall into.

This may be one of three categories:

• Population risk: No additional mammographic screening required. All women between the ages of 50 and 70 will be offered routine three-yearly screening as part of the NHS breast screening programme.
• Moderate risk: Currently women assessed as moderate risk can be offered early screening mammograms from the age of 40 until 50.
• High risk: These women are likely to be referred to Wessex clinical genetics services for further assessment. If you are assessed by clinical genetics to be at high risk, you will be offered an appointment at one of the regional genetics clinics for advice, support, information about national studies, and early screening (mammograms or MRI between the ages of 40 and 50).

You will also be given advice about breast awareness and lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Please note that we use appointment text reminders, so you may receive one of these before your appointment.