Family history increases risk of breast cancer

Women with a history of breast cancer in their families have roughly double the risk for the disease as women in the general population.

But this risk varies throughout life, according to new research.

Women aged 20 to 39 who had a sister diagnosed with breast cancer were more than six times as likely to develop the disease themselves, but inherited risk decreased to just two times as likely for women over age 50.

Experts say these findings mean regular screenings are particularly important for women with a family history of breast cancer.