History

Nancy Haslam’s Cancer History

Maternal Grandmother Ivy Banham Higgins, first occurrence in 1970s, when Ivy was in her 70s.

Mother Gwendolyn Mary Higgins Rider, first occurrence in 1980s, when Gwen was in her 60s. Single mastectomy, radiation, and tamoxifin for 10 years as treatment. Second occurrence 10 (?) years later. Gwen declined to be genetically tested for the BRCA gene.

Sister Sally Rider, first occurrence in 1980s, when Sally was in her 30s. Sally’s cystic fibrosis was deemed a fact in her early onset.

Nancy Rider Haslam, first occurrence in 2003, when Nancy was 54. Genetic testing showed that Nancy has the BRCA I gene.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer. About 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they often are diagnosed at a younger age (before age 50). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations.  (Statistical information from breastcancer.org)