Not only is it Women's Health Week on Good Morning Jacksonville, but October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

We talked with Dr. Stephanie Hines, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, about some of the myths and misconceptions about breast cancer

One of them is you only have to worry about your mom's family. Dr. Hines says that's far from the truth.

"The BCRA genes that can cause hereditary susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer are equally likely to come from mom or dad," said Dr. Hines, "so, father's family history is just as important as mother's family history."

Dr. Hines says women can be proactive about reducing their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol and getting Vitamin D.

First Coast News by Gary Detman, 09/29/09

Tags: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville