Is Breast Pain a Sign of Cancer? Signs to Watch
If any of the following are true, speak to your doctor about including MRIs as part of your yearly examination:
- Lifetime Risk – Your breast cancer risk is considered high if assessment tools, family history indicators, and your physician have determined that your risk of developing breast cancer is 20 percent or greater.
- Genetic Issues – You're at a greater risk if you have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.
- Family Genes – When a close relative – grandmother, mother or sister -- has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, you may be at a higher risk of contracting breast cancer.
- Radiation History – Having radiation therapy in the chest area between the ages of 10 and 30 increases your risk for breast cancer.
- Health Conditions – Certain genetic diseases may predispose you to breast cancer, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome. If you or one of your immediate relatives have these conditions, let your doctor know.