Breast Cancer Risk Quiz


TYPE OF RISK POINTS   SCORE

YOUR PRESENT AGE:
60 or older 15
50-59 8
40-49 3
25-39 1

FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER
(AGE OF DIAGNOSIS):
Mother (Under 50) 20
Mother (Over 50) 12
Sister (Under 50) 20
Sister (Over 50) 12
More than one of your aunts, cousins
    or grandmothers had breast cancer
5
One aunt, cousin or grandmother
    had breast cancer
3

PERSONAL HISTORY:
You have had a previous breast cancer 25
You have had breast surgery showing
    atypia
15
You have had multiple benign biopsies 4
You have had a benign breast biopsy 3
You have had a previous cancer of the
    ovary or uterus
2
You have dense breast tissue 4

CHILDBEARING:
You are 30 years old or older and have
    never had a child
2
You had your first child at age 30 or
    older
2

MENSTRUAL HISTORY:
Menstruation began at 11 years of age
    or younger
2
Menopause occurred at 55 or older 2
Natural menopause occurred between
    age 46-54
1

BODY BUILD:
You are overweight, with extra weight
    carried in the upper body
    (Apple Shape)
2
You are overweight, with extra weight
    carried in your thighs and buttocks
    (Pear Shape)
1

DIET:
You eat a high fat diet
    (fried foods, “deli” meat, cheese)
1

POST-MENOPAUSAL HORMONES:
You are presently taking or have taken
    female estrogen and progesterone
    (PREMPRO®) for more than 5 years
2
You had a natural menopause and
    have taken estrogen and
    progesterone (PREMPRO®) for
    more than 10 years
3

TOTAL SCORE
0

Your present risk of developing breast cancer may be estimated by comparing your total score to the chart below. However, this is only an approximate value, and if you develop any symptoms you should consult your doctor immediately.

YOUR
SCORE

RISK CATEGORY
0–10
  You are at average risk
11–19
  Your risk is moderately increased
20 & over
  You are at high risk
Over 30
  You are at the highest risk
WOMEN AT AVERAGE RISK:

Women at average risk need yearly mammography starting at age 40 (baseline at age 35), and yearly clinical breast exam.

MODERATE INCREASE IN RISK:

See recommendations above. In addition, we recommend a clinical breast exam with a breast specialist, which should include a discussion of breast cancer prevention strategies.

HIGH RISK:

You need all of the above plus a thorough evaluation of your family history and possible genetic testing for genetic mutations. The benefits and risks of new drugs to reduce breast cancer risk should be reviewed. Increased surveillance with more frequent breast exams and advanced breast imaging tests (such as MRI) should be considered.

HIGHEST RISK:

Women at highest risk for breast cancer usually have a very strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer and can test positive a genetic mutation. They need to avail themselves to all risk reduction strategies including considering preventative nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. It is recommended that women with the breast cancer gene also undergo removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. These women should be under the care of a surgeon specializing in breast disease, who can oversee an intensive an individualized screening program.

"As a breast surgeon my value isn't determined by how many breast cancers I have treated, it's how many I prevented."
- Dr. Nancy Elliott, Founder and Director of Montclair Breast Center
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