Family Planning in Women With High Risk for Breast Cancer

Abstract

The objective of this study is to provide knowledge about the impact of the confirmation of mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes upon the family planning in patients with high risk for breast cancer, through international literature review. The medical literature is plentiful and rich in relation to the genetic aspects associated to breast cancer since the identification of these genes in 1994 and 1995, supplying precious information about the test and its implication in the life of the mutation carrier such as the decision on prophylactic surgical treatments, however without clearly approaching the question of the family planning. In this condition it becomes essential that the studies on the family planning are further developed to let us understand the impact of this premature discovery in the woman's personal life.