A consensus conference including 30 experts was held in April, 2007, to discuss risk factors for breast cancer and their management. Four categories of risk were outlined, from "average" through "very high" risk, the latter including individuals with high penetrance BRCA1/2 gene mutations. Guidelines for management of patients in each of these categories were discussed, with the major portion of the conference devoted to individuals with BRCA1/2 mutations. Prevalence of these mutations in the general population was estimated to be 1 in 250-500 individuals, with an increased prevalence in Ashkenazi Jews and other founder groups. Risk-reduction strategies for these individuals included surveillance, with or without chemoprevention drugs, or surgical procedures to remove the organs at risk, ie, bilateral mastectomy and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. These risk reduction strategies were evaluated fully, and recommendations were made for the care of patients in each risk category. These guidelines for patient care were approved by the entire group of experts.