Reducing Breast Cancer Risk Across Generations Through Family-Based Interventions

Abstract

Multi-level interventions that address risk during key windows of susceptibility (WOS) and consider both population-wide and targeted interventions within families are needed for breast cancer. This review provides an overview of current family-based interventions for breast cancer risk reduction and outlines recommendations for future family-based interventions. Few studies have taken a family-based approach for reducing breast cancer risk across generations except for the Daughters and Mothers Against Breast Cancer trial, a weight loss intervention for postmenopausal survivors and their adult daughters. However, this trial was not focused on specific WOS and it did not involve dyads living in a shared household environment. The utility of family-based interventions for reducing breast cancer risk remains largely untapped. Recommendations for future interventions include targeting dyads living in a shared household environment, utilizing intermediate biomarkers of risk, and recruiting families at higher risk of early-onset breast cancer.