Tailoring Breast Cancer Screening to Each Woman's Risk

Each woman's risk of breast cancer varies based on her unique mix of lifestyle and inherent risk factors.

Lifestyle factors that can impact risk

• Body mass index (BMI)
• Physical activity level
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Dietary fat intake

Other known risk factors

• Increasing age
• Family history of breast cancer
• Dense breast tissue
• Certain genetic mutations (BRCA 1 and 2 are best known)
• High risk breast lesion such as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia
• Use of menopausal hormone therapy

Childbearing and breast cancer risk

• Having children at a younger age correlates with reduced breast cancer risk
• Breast feeding further lowers risk

Protect your health by taking action.

• Maintain a weight within a healthy range
• Get 30 minutes of exercise each day, five days a week
• Stop smoking — or even better, don't start
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Talk to your doctor about your breast cancer risk
• Get the appropriate genetic testing based on your family history

Average risk

A measured screening plan

• Consult with your doctor about mammogram screening recommendations starting at age 40. Most insurances cover mammograms at age 40, but check with your insurance provider to be sure.
• Supplemental screening methods such as 3D mammogram and molecular breast imaging can improve breast cancer detection in women with increased breast density.

High risk

Plan may include advanced screening

• Breast consultation to assess individualized breast cancer risk and preventative care to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• Breast MRI provides supplemental imaging for women who have a lifetime risk of breast cancer over 20-25% and those with high risk gene mutations such as BRCA.
• Genetic counseling for women who have a family history of breast cancer.

Highest risk

Proactive approaches may be needed

• Breast consultation to assess individualized breast cancer risk and preventative care to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• Chemoprevention drug treatment can reduce breast cancer risk.
• Clinical trials aimed at reducing individual risk.
• Proactive surgery and reconstruction to remove breast tissue before cancer can develop.

One plan does not fit all.

Consult with your doctor to tailor a screening plan that is appropriate for your level of risk, based on both lifestyle and inherent factors.

Sources: MayoClinic.org; Cancer.org.