Wanting a better understanding of breast cancer

Hello Breast Cancer community!  I hope you are all having a great day!

I have a female friend who is my best friend.  She and I have known each other for around 12 years now. I learned that her mother had passed on due to breast cancer.  While my grandmother has had breast cancer I am curious on a few facts that she wasn't able to answer.

My concern is my friend hasn't been proactive in her own life to going to get a wellness exams and so forth (being she 28 and never even had a pap).  I started looking around and my question stems from her mothers previous illness.  She is the daughter of 4 children and second to last one.  She didn't know her mother well at all.  

Do female children (or male children for that matter as well) who had a parent that had breast cancer have a higher rate of showing up with breast cancer?  

What are things that I can do or advise her on?  She is a very good and close friend of mine.  I will also admit I have a huge crush on her but I like being proactive with my friends health.  I love using med help to ask questions because you are bound to find knowledgeable people on all of our communities.  

Thank you for your time.  

[japdip]

Dealing with your first question .. YES, there is an increased risk if a first degree relative has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer although these cases only account for about 1% of all Breast Cancer diagnoses. There is a Genetic test that can reveal if one is more likely than normal to develop BC under these circumstances. If this is proven then earlier than normal Mammograms and exams are recommended. Every woman no matter what age should be doing monthly self breast exams. As far as how to advise someone to be more vigilant regarding their health .... I have no idea; you know her best so you would be the most likely person to know how to approach the subject. Keep in mind that some people won't listen no matter what .... it's called DENIAL. Good luck ......

[japdip]

Dealing with your first question .. YES, there is an increased risk if a first degree relative has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer although these cases only account for about 1% of all Breast Cancer diagnoses. There is a Genetic test that can reveal if one is more likely than normal to develop BC under these circumstances. If this is proven then earlier than normal Mammograms and exams are recommended. Every woman no matter what age should be doing monthly self breast exams. As far as how to advise someone to be more vigilant regarding their health .... I have no idea; you know her best so you would be the most likely person to know how to approach the subject. Keep in mind that some people won't listen no matter what .... it's called DENIAL. Good luck ......

[Mistakeguy789]

Thanks Japdip.  I appreciate the response.  It's hard because I want to get a water hose out and squirt her to get her to check herself and be more on to it then she is.  But it's difficult being the friend.  

Do you know if the genetic test is something insurance will pay for usually?  Is this something that her primary care doctor can order or needs to order?  

[japdip]

Sorry about the double post .... that happens sometimes :)
Ins. does pay for the Genetic testing if it is deemed necessary by the Physician ... I'm not sure but perhaps either a Breast Specialist or Oncologist would be more likely to order this on a routine basis. I understand about how difficult you find it to may her see things your way ... I'm rather stubborn myself (most women are) ... you know most of the time this denial is due to the fear that something might be wrong. Some women who qualify for Genetic testing choose not to have it done .... they prefer NOT to live under the cloud of knowing. Do the best you can ....

[Mistakeguy789]

Thanks for the info japdip.  Not sure about the double posting deal.  I don't see it double posted.  Though if you are referring to the best answer it copies the post that the poster selects (regardless where on the page) and posts it up top.  We have a few of those on the Herpes community where it looks werid because something we said 5 responses down gets selected and copied to the top.  :-)