Fight With Knowledge Not Fear
What Is a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment?
A breast cancer risk assessment is a tool used to estimate your chances of developing breast cancer over the course of your life. In the U.S., approximately 1 in 8 women—about 12%—will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Risk assessments help healthcare providers evaluate whether you may fall within that group, allowing for more personalized monitoring and care.
It’s important to note that these assessments don’t predict with certainty whether you will or won’t develop breast cancer. Instead, they measure probability—whether your risk is higher or lower than average based on factors like age, family history, and personal medical background.
It’s not a scan or a test — it’s a simple review of your personal and family history, often done during your annual physical. The provider uses a validated calculator (like the Tyrer-Cuzick model) to estimate your 5-year and lifetime risk of breast cancer.
If your risk is elevated, you may qualify for early MRI screenings — which are often fully covered by insurance under preventive care.
Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator
This tool estimates your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by analyzing personal and family medical history. It is designed to provide helpful information, not a diagnosis. For questions about your individual risk, screening options, or genetic counseling, please consult your healthcare provider.
Current NCCN Guidelines
NCCN Says Women Should Be Assessed for Breast Cancer Risk at 25. So Why Aren’t They?
“Individuals should undergo breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 years and be counseled regarding potential benefits, risks, and limitations of breast screening in the context of their risk stratification.”
— NCCN Guidelines Version 1.2022: Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
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