Breast Cancer Risk Calculator: Calculate Your Cancer Risk In 2 Minutes
By using a breast cancer risk calculator, whether your results are low-risk or high-risk, you can take proactive steps to protect your health.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australian women. While early detection is critical, understanding your risk of developing breast cancer through a breast cancer risk assessment can be beneficial. This is where breast cancer risk calculators can help. These tools offer a personalised way to estimate your risk and take proactive steps toward prevention.
In this article, we’ll explain how different breast cancer risk calculators work, what they measure, and how they’re used. We’ll also discuss what to do if your results aren’t favourable and provide actionable steps to improve your outcomes.
What Are Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Calculators?
Breast cancer risk calculators are online or software-based tools that estimate your likelihood of developing breast cancer. By analysing personal and medical data, these calculators provide insights that can guide proactive healthcare decisions.
They can serve different purposes, from estimating lifetime risk to assessing recurrence risk for those previously diagnosed. Examples include:
Gail Model: Estimates a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer over the next 5 years and throughout her lifetime (up to age 90). Primarily intended for women without a strong family history of breast cancer.
BOADICEA Tool: Specifically looks at genetic risk and calculates the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, as well as the likelihood of carrying pathogenic variants in breast cancer-related genes (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2, PALB2).
Tyrer-Cuzick Model: Combines hormonal, lifestyle, and genetic data to estimates the 10-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
IBIS Breast Cancer Risk Evaluation Tool: Another name for the Tyrer-Cuzick model, focusing on family history and other factors.
These tools are not diagnostic but provide a valuable starting point for discussions with your doctor and other health professionals.
How Do Breast Cancer Risk Calculators Work?
Each risk calculator measures slightly different factors. Common metrics include:
- Family History: A history of breast or ovarian cancer in close relatives increases your risk.
- Genetics: Tools like BOADICEA incorporate BRCA mutation status and other genetic markers.
- Reproductive History: Age at first period, first childbirth, and menopause affect hormonal exposure.
- Lifestyle Factors: Weight, physical activity, and alcohol use are increasingly recognised as risk factors.
- Age and Ethnicity: Breast cancer risk varies with age and between ethnic groups.
These metrics help in estimating the likelihood of developing invasive breast cancer over specified periods.
By combining these factors, the tools generate a risk score. For example, the Gail Model provides a percentage likelihood of developing breast cancer over the next 5 years and your lifetime.
Why Use a Breast Cancer Risk Calculator?
The Relevance of Assessing Risk
Using a breast cancer risk calculator helps you understand where you stand. This knowledge can empower you to:
- Take preventive steps, such as lifestyle changes or enhanced screening. These insights can facilitate prevention by encouraging lifestyle changes and enhanced screening.
- Discuss genetic testing options with your doctor if your family history suggests a higher risk.
- Identify whether you might benefit from advanced diagnostics, like MRI screening, instead of standard mammograms.
These calculators are especially useful for women in their 40s to 70s, the age group most affected by breast cancer.
What to Do if You Get Concerning Results
Stay Calm and Take Action
Getting a high-risk score from a breast cancer risk calculator can be unsettling, but it’s important to remember it’s not a diagnosis. Here’s what to do next:
- Talk to Your GP: Share your results and discuss whether additional screening or genetic testing is necessary.
- Consult a Specialist: A breast surgeon or genetic counsellor can provide deeper insights into your risk profile and recommend next steps.
- Consider Preventive Measures: Depending on your risk, options may include medication, lifestyle changes, or preventive surgery.
- Monitor Regularly: Increased risk often means more frequent or advanced screening methods like mammography or ultrasound. Regular screening discussions with your healthcare provider can help you stay on top of your health.
Can You Improve Your Breast Cancer Risk?
Steps to Lower Your Risk
While you can’t change some factors, like family history or genetics, there are ways to reduce your overall risk:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity, especially post-menopause, is linked to higher breast cancer risk. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly.
- Limit Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol increase breast cancer risk. Stick to the recommended guidelines or avoid it altogether.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking is a known risk factor for many cancers, including breast cancer.
- Breastfeed if Possible: Breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk, likely due to reduced hormonal exposure. These measures can also help in reducing the risk of ductal carcinoma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Risk Calculators
Are Breast Cancer Risk Calculators Accurate?
These tools provide estimates, not guarantees. Their accuracy depends on the data entered and the model used. Always confirm results with a healthcare professional. These tools have been validated for various racial and ethnic groups, including Pacific Islander women.
Who Should Use a Breast Cancer Risk Calculator?
Anyone concerned about their risk, especially women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. These tools can facilitate prevention and screening discussions with your healthcare provider.
Can Men Use Breast Cancer Risk Calculators?
While rare, men can develop breast cancer. Some calculators include male-specific risk factors, but consultation with a specialist is often more helpful. These tools can help in assessing the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in men.
Conclusion
By using a breast cancer risk calculator, you can take proactive steps to protect your health. Whether your results are low-risk or high-risk, there are actions you can take to stay ahead. These tools can facilitate screening discussions between women and their healthcare providers, encouraging proactive health management. At Everlab, we use cutting-edge diagnostics and personalised care to reduce your risk of diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more before they happen.
Steven is a specialist general practitioner, preventative health consultant, medical educator, healthcare entrepreneur and co-founder of Everlab. With 15+ years of clinical experience, and driven by his passion for preventive care outcomes, Steven is dedicated to personalised and innovative approaches to enhance well-being, extend human lifespan, and improve healthspan.
