Information for the public

About this information

NICE guidelines provide advice on the care and support that should be offered to people who use health and care services.

This information explains the advice about familial breast cancer (breast cancer in the family) that is set out in NICE guideline CG164.

This is an update of advice on familial breast cancer that NICE produced in 2004, 2006 and 2013.

Does this information apply to me?

Yes, if:

  • you are a woman (18 years or over) who might be at higher risk of breast cancer than the general population because of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family

  • you are a woman who has had breast cancer and has breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family.

If you are a man (18 years or over) who might be at higher risk of breast cancer because of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family, the information about referral to a specialist genetics service, genetic counselling and genetic testing applies to you.

  • Information Standard