Breast cancer risk assessment

The results of a breast cancer risk assessment tell you and your healthcare professional about your risk of breast cancer. The results might state your risk of developing breast cancer in the next five years, next 10 years or in your lifetime. The results can't say for sure whether you'll get breast cancer or won't get breast cancer.

If your healthcare professional feels that you have an increased risk of breast cancer, you might talk about things you can do to manage the risk. These might include:

• Lifestyle changes you can make, such as maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising and limiting how much alcohol you drink.
• Breast cancer screening with mammogram, breast MRI and other tests to find breast cancer early.
• Referral to a genetic counselor or another healthcare professional trained in genetics for testing that looks for DNA changes that may increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
• Medicines to lower breast cancer risk.
• Surgery to remove the breasts or the ovaries to lower breast cancer risk.

Talk about your options with your healthcare professional. If your risk of breast cancer is higher than average, consider asking for a referral to a breast health specialist. This healthcare professional helps people understand and manage their risk of breast cancer.