Two tools to help assess your personal risk for breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common and lethal types of cancers in the United States, with women being more affected than men. Whenever they are concerns about breast cancer, connecting with someone with experience is definitely recommended. Personal risk factors, family history, genetic information and other personal factors can affect what the information means and how to act on it. We highlight a couple of tools here that are used to assess risk of breast cancer

Gail model: Bcrisktool.cancer.gov

This tool takes into account certain risk factors. It is not used to estimate risk of genetic mutations. It is most helpful in assessing the role for chemoprevention (medication) to reduce the lifetime risk of breast cancer. 

Tyrer Cuzick Model: Typically a special software/product

This tool considers personal risk factors, can add breast density from mammograms as well, takes more extensive family history and hormone replacement therapy information. 

This tool can help in deciding if genetic testing is appropriate.

It is important to remember that both of these severe as risk estimate calculators and they are not perfect. So it may overestimate or underestimate individual risk

These screening tools and risk assessment aids do not serve as a replacement for sound clinical judgement and medical advice. 

These tools can help identify individuals that may benefit from high risk screening such as:

  • Breast self awareness

  • Clinical breast exams every 6-12 months

  • Annual Mammograms 

  • Annual MRI screening.

  • Genetic testing

  • Medications to reduce risk

  • Surgical interventions to reduce risk 

If you are worried about your personal risk for cancer and would like to discuss your overall prevention strategy, contact us for help. Osra Medical provides a gay friendly, fear free environment that makes it easy to discuss sensitive matters concerning your health. Our concierge doctor provides informative, affordable, and personalized primary care. Osra Medical is home to primary care physicians in San Francisco that specialize in gay and bisexual men’s and women’s health. We’re currently accepting new patients and would love to help you today!

Nasser Mohamed