At a routine health examination, a woman whose mother had breast cancer asks the nurse about the genetic basis of breast cancer and the genes involved. The nurse explains that

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Family history is a risk factor for breast cancer, and the nurse should discuss testing for BRCA genes with the patient. Although the BRCA gene is associated with increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, the patient may be at risk if her mother had either one. About 5% to 10% of patients with breast cancer may have a genetic abnormality that contributes to breast cancer development. Risk factors are cumulative, but a family history alone will increase breast cancer risk.

At a Routine Health Examination, a Woman Whose Mother Had