Genetics & Breast / Ovarian Cancer Risk

If people have experienced cancer in their families, they may worry and wonder if they are at a higher risk of developing cancer.  It's natural to think about what the future may hold, and it may sometimes cause a person to begin looking into their family history. 

We have general information about being worried about cancer and the risk of inheriting faulty genes.  It's uncommon for cancers to run in families, it being thought that only 5%-10% of cancers are clearly linked to an inherited faulty gene.  Most cancers happen for reasons we don't fully understand.  You can read more general information on cancer genetics here.

We have many enquiries at Cancerbackup about breast cancer risk in families.  In response to this, an online interactive tool has been developed to help look at an individual's risk of inheriting breast and ovarian cancer.  It's called OPERA - Online Personal Education Risk Assessment.  

The reason why breast and ovarian cancer risk is linked together in the OPERA tool, is because two gene changes have been identified which can increase breast and ovarian cancer risk in those family members who inherit the genetic change.

The tool is only designed to be used in relation to breast and ovarian cancer, and cannot be used in relation to any other type of cancer risk.

OPERA's aim isn't  to take the place of a consultation with your GP or genetic counselling services.  It's hoped that it may help people who are interested to know more about breast cancer risk, and support the discussion they may have with their GP / local genetic services.

It may sometimes be helpful to go through the OPERA programme online with your GP.  Or perhaps before using OPERA you may find it helpful to talk through any thoughts you have about it with a cancer specialist nurse here at Cancerbackup.

You may also find it helps to read our information 'Are you worried about..... breast cancer?', and 'Are you worried about..... ovarian cancer?' 

We'd really value any comments you have about OPERA, so please let us know!