Relações Genéticas e Medidas Socioeducativas para a Prevenção dos Carcinomas Mamários

Cancer is a genetic illness which may be hereditary or acquired. Breast cancer causes high morbidity and mortality rates, coming second in Brazilian women. Breast lesions predominate in females although in males, rather rare, it reaches 1.0%. Risk factors for breast carcinoma involve family history, hormonal and reproductive factors, life style and environmental factors. Family history accounts for 5 – 10% of breast cancer cases, whilst gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are widespread. Gene mutations cause part of the early family cases of breast cancer in females and are associated with risk increase of breast and prostate cancer in males and ovary and pancreatic in females. Current research reviews the literature on the subject and makes technical recommendations for primary prevention, early detection and diagnosis of breast carcinoma. The above is supplemented by a booklet with current relevant information, or rather, social and educational measures for conscience-raising in females with regard to self examination, breast cancer prevention and the early diagnosis of the disease.