Breast cancer risk assessment

Overview

Breast cancer risk assessment takes into account many aspects of a woman's health and family history to calculate whether she may be more likely than average to develop breast cancer.

You and your doctor can use results from a breast cancer risk assessment to determine when to begin breast cancer screening and how often it should be repeated. A breast cancer risk assessment may also help you and your doctor decide whether you should consider measures to prevent breast cancer, such as medications or surgery.

A breast cancer risk assessment at Mayo Clinic is done by professionals in a specialized breast clinic. These professionals also provide counseling, education, screening and discussion about the risks and benefits of genetic testing.

Read more about breast cancer.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for breast cancer risk assessment

• Team work. Mayo Clinic's breast clinic includes specialists in genetics, breast imaging, breast surgery, breast cancer prevention and pathology, among others. These experts work together to develop a care plan that meets your needs.
• Thorough, evidence-based assessment of your risk. Doctors at Mayo Clinic use breast cancer risk assessment tools that are research-tested and take into account many aspects of your personal health and family history.
• Personalized care. Mayo Clinic doctors don't take a one-size-fits-all approach to breast cancer screening and prevention. Instead, doctors work with you to determine what strategies for screening and prevention best meet your needs and preferences.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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