Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool

Begin the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment  The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is a computer program that women and their health care providers can use to estimate a woman's chances of developing breast cancer based on several recognized risk factors. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) developed this tool using information from over 300,000 women with breast cancer. The risk factors used to estimate a woman's risk of developing breast cancer include: Personal history -- Personal history of breast abnormalities or breast biopsies, such as fibrocystic disease or biopsies showing atypical hyperplasia (pre-cancerous cells) or lobular carcinoma in situ (localized, encapsulated cancer). Age -- The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The majority of breast cancer cases occur in women older than age 50. Age at first menstrual period -- Women who had their first period before age 12 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer due to prolonged exposure to estrogen. Age at first live birth -- Women who had their first full-term pregnancy after age 30 and women who have never borne a child have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer among first-degree relatives (sisters, mothers, daughters) -- Having one or more first-degree blood relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer increases a woman's chances of developing this disease. Race -- White women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than women of any other race (although black women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to die of the disease), according to the American Cancer Society. This tool is very generalized, and does not take into account the risks associated with having a grandmother, aunt, uncle, brother, or father with breast cancer. If one or more of your extended relatives or a male relative has had breast cancer, the tool may underestimate your risk. The results of the breast cancer risk assessment tool cover two time periods: the next five years and your lifetime.. The risk that is most important at this time is your five year risk. According to the tool, any woman with an estimated five year risk of developing breast cancer of 1.66% or higher is considered to be at high risk. So, what can you do if you are at high risk? First of all take the results of your risk assessment to your doctor and have him or her go over your personal risk factors and your treatment options. You should also follow the American Cancer Society guidelines for good breast health by having a baseline mammogram between 35-40, annual mammograms at age 40, and practicing monthly Self Breast Examinations (SBE). If you are at high risk, you may be able to start tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen is an FDA approved medication used for the reduction of risk of breast cancer in high risk women. The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) found that tamoxifen can reduce a woman's risk by about half. The Thompson Cancer Survival Center participated in this trial and had over 80 women in the Knoxville area as participants. If you are postmenopausal, either naturally or surgically, you may be eligible for a clinical trial here at the Cancer Center comparing tamoxifen to raloxifene. See the STAR site for details. Participants receive free study drug for five years, free breast exams every six months, free lab work every year, and economically disadvantaged women can get their annual mammogram covered, if needed. If you are interested in having your breast cancer risk assessment performed, please complete the following questions. Your answers are completely confidential, and your results will be mailed or e-mailed to you in 2-3 days along with an explanation of your risk. Begin the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Clinical Trials Home | History | IRB | Laser Center | Staff Links of Interest | Current Open Trials | Featured Study

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