Family breast cancer may not mean early screening (Reuters)

By Anne Harding 24 minutes ago NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research suggests that just because a woman has family members with breast cancer, it does not mean that she should undergo early screening for the cancer. According to the report, there are certain factors doctors can look for to determine whether early screening is advisable. "Breast cancer is very common. Familial clustering is also rather common," Dr. Geertruida H. de Bock, the study's first author, told Reuters Health. "About 25 to 30 percent of breast cancer is family clustered, but the (rate) of breast cancer in the family is not very useful in predicting if you will get breast cancer yourself." At present, having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer before age 40 is considered to be an indication for starting... [read full story]