Reducing breast cancer risk across generations through family-based interventions

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.