Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

What are the screening options for HBOC?

It is important to discuss with your doctor the following screening options, as each individual is different:

Screening for women:

Monthly breast self-examinations, beginning at age 18

Biyearly clinical breast examinations (examination performed by a doctor or nurse), beginning between the ages of 25 to 30

Yearly mammograms, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30; the American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2mutation

Breast ultrasound may be used with mammogram, especially in young women

Some doctors suggest alternating mammograms with MRI

Yearly or biyearly pelvic examination, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30

Yearly or biyearly transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30

Yearly CA-125 blood test, beginning between the ages of 25 to 30

Screening for men:

Monthly breast self-examinations, beginning around age 30

Yearly clinical breast examinations, beginning around age 30

Yearly prostate cancer screening, beginning around age 40

Screening options may change over time as new technologies are developed and more is learned about HBOC. It is important to talk with your doctor about appropriate screening tests.