Risk Assessment

Understanding your risk for breast cancer is an important step in maintaining your breast health. Risk assessment involves evaluating various factors that can influence your likelihood of developing breast cancer. These factors may include your family history of breast or ovarian cancer, genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, personal health history, reproductive history, breast density, and lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption and physical activity. By assessing these factors, healthcare providers can better tailor screening recommendations and preventive strategies to your individual needs.

It's important to discuss your breast cancer risk with your healthcare provider, who can help you understand what factors may increase your risk and what steps you can take to manage it. Depending on your level of risk, your healthcare provider may recommend more frequent screenings, breast MRI, genetic testing, lifestyle modifications, or preventive measures such as medications or surgery. By being proactive about understanding and managing your risk, you can take control of your breast health and potentially reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

Tyrer-Cuzick, Gail, and Claus are three population-based models commonly used to calculate five year, ten year, and lifetime risk. More recently, polygenic risk scores can be calculated using a sample of your DNA.

Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek support from your healthcare team – together, you can develop a personalized plan to help you stay healthy and proactive in managing your breast cancer risk.