Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Also known as: Family history of breast and ovarian cancer

The average woman has a small chance of getting breast cancer and an even smaller chance of getting ovarian cancer. Your chances may be slightly higher because of your age or race. But if someone in your family has had breast or ovarian cancer, your chances of getting those cancers may be even higher. And the more relatives you have with these cancers, the higher your chances are. Women who have higher chances than normal are said to be “at higher risk.”

At Providence, achieving optimal breast health and providing world-class treatment for breast cancer are equal priorities in our continuing goal to improve women’s health. Providence Breast Centers offer comprehensive access to state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging techniques to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses.

Read more in our library »

Choose a category above to find details about related Providence services.

Services offered by Providence

Cancer Center lending libraries

Knowledge about cancer helps patients and their loved ones as they navigate diagnosis, treatment and recovery. For patients and families, easily-acces More »

Cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling

Cancer risk assessment examines personal and family history information that influences cancer risk. More »

Multidisciplinary cancer care

The evidence-based, multidisciplinary team approach to patient care at Providence Cancer Center is creating hope and changing lives for many people More »

Oncology nurse navigator

An oncology nurse navigator is an oncology certified nurse (OCN) who provides  education for each cancer patient concerning their individual treatme More »

Forms & Information

Race for the Cure - Team Providence

Imagine a world without breast cancer.  You can help make that a reality. Join Team Providence and register for the 2013 Race for the Cure event on Sunday, Sept. 15. Gather your friends and family and walk or run to support the early detection of breast cancer, its treatment and ongoing research.   

From the experts

Ask an Expert: Chemotherapy and insomnia

Q: I'm undergoing chemo, and though I am experiencing heavy-duty fatigue, I am also suffering from insomnia! Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep; other nights I wake up around 3 a.m. for an hour or two. My medical oncologist said chemo can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and prescribed Ambien. I don't like the idea of relying on a sleeping pill. Anything else I can do?

Answer from Miles Hassell, M.D., director of Providence Integrative Medicine at Providence Cancer Center:

Vitamin D and breast cancer: Is there a link?

Studies have provided conflicting results, but here’s what we know so far. – By Ali Conlin, M.D., medical oncologist

Recommended Resources