Diagnosis
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society says the breast cancer death rate is declining. This is likely because breast cancer is found earlier through routine screening and treatment keeps getting better. Getting routine screen test and being aware of breast cancer symptoms are the key to finding it early, when it’s small and easier to treat.
This short assessment will help you learn if you have risk factors that may put you at a higher than average risk for breast cancer. It's not a complete review of all breast cancer risks. For a complete review of your risks, see your healthcare provider. Knowing your breast cancer risk can help you make the breast cancer screening plan that's best for you.
This tool is not meant for women who have or have had breast cancer.
African American
Asian
Caucasian
Hispanic
Other
lbs.
Feet
Inches
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Mother
Daughter
Sister
No family history of breast cancer
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)
Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
None of these
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Your Results
Because of your age, your risk of developing breast cancer is very low.
Because of your age, your risk of developing breast cancer is low.
Because of your age alone, your risk of developing breast cancer is slightly higher than for a younger woman.
Because of your age, your risk of developing breast cancer is higher than when you were younger. But because you have other risk factors (listed below), your risk is even higher than others in your age group.
Because of your age, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Because of your age, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The other risk factors you have reported (listed below) increase that risk even more when compared with a same-age person without any other known risk factors.
Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. Between the ages of 45 and 65, your risk of developing breast cancer increases. This is especially true for women who have risk factors other than age. According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of breast cancer are found in women ages 55 and older.
Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. Starting at age 45, your risk of developing breast cancer goes up, especially if you have other risk factors. Some of these risk factors will put you at increasingly higher risk as you grow older.
Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of breast cancer are found in women ages 55 and older. If other risk factors are present, they become more important in knowing the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.
Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of breast cancer are found in women ages 55 and older. Other risk factors become more important in knowing the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.
Because you are younger than 17, you have almost no risk of developing breast cancer at this time, even if you have other risk factors (listed below). Any risk factors you do have will put you in increasingly higher risk for breast cancer as you grow older.
Because you are not yet 45 years old, your risk of developing breast cancer at this time is low even if you have other risk factors (listed below). Any risk factors you do have will put you in increasingly higher risk for breast cancer as you grow older.
According to this assessment, your risk factors and their impact are listed below. Talk with your healthcare provider to review all of your risk factors, what can be done about them, and what they may mean in your case.
Factors that increase your risk of developing breast cancer
- Age
- Family history of female or male breast cancer
- Family history of early onset breast cancer (diagnosed at age 45 or younger)
- Personal history of uterine cancer
- Personal history of ovarian cancer
- Certain inherited gene mutations
- Personal history of certain breast conditions that aren't cancer. These include lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH).
- Personal history of chest radiation to treat another cancer as a child or teen
- Being overweight or obese after menopause. A BMI of places you in the obese category.
- Drinking alcohol. The risk for developing breast cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. If you have no more than one drink a day, your risk rises by only a very small amount. Women who have 2 to 3 drinks a day have about 20% higher risk than women who don't drink.
- Dense breast tissue (seen on a mammogram)
- Taking combined hormone therapy (both estrogen and progesterone) to treat symptoms of menopause
Factors that put you at a slightly higher than average risk
- Ethnicity. Whites have an increased incidence of breast cancer when compared with Blacks. American Indian, Asian, and Hispanic women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer compared with whites and Blacks.
- Ethnicity. Blacks actually have a lower incidence of breast cancer than whites, but are more likely to die from the disease.
- Smoking. Long-term heavy smoking might raise your risk for breast cancer. Because smoking is clearly tied to many cancers, it's a good idea to do all you can to quit smoking. Ask your provider for help quitting.
- First childbirth after age 30
- Menarche (start of menstruation) before age 11
- Menopause after age 55
- Personal history of taking the medicine diethylstilbestrol (DES), or your mother took it while pregnant with you
- Taking hormone-based birth control, such as birth control pills
Your risk factors
You have indicated no risk factors for breast cancer.
You have indicated no risk factors for breast cancer other than age.
About risk factors and preventive screening
Some risk factors, such as age, family health history, and no full-term pregnancies, cannot be changed. But if you have risk factors that can be changed, consider making lifestyle changes to reduce those risks. For instance, quit smoking and lose weight if you need to. Discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy after menopause and use low doses for only a short time. A healthy diet and regular exercise may also help reduce your breast cancer risk.
A large portion of the women with breast cancer have no risk factors. Having risk factors doesn't mean that you will develop breast cancer. But having risk factors is a good reason to discuss them with your doctor and schedule regular screening mammograms.
Even if you don't have risk factors, it's important to get routine breast cancer screening tests. Here are the recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) for screening in women of average risk for breast cancer:
- All women should know the benefits, limits, and potential harms of breast cancer screening. They should also know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a healthcare provider right away.
- Women ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start breast cancer screening with yearly mammograms if they wish to do so. They should consider both the risks and potential benefits of screening.
- Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year.
- Women ages 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every 2 years, or have the choice to continue yearly screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always consult with a healthcare provider for advice concerning your health. Only your healthcare provider can determine if you have breast cancer.
This assessment is not intended to replace the evaluation of a healthcare professional.
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Author: Lambert, J.G. M.D.
Online Medical Reviewer: Gersten, Todd, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Gotwals, Jessica RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Southard, Chris RN
Date Last Reviewed: 05/01/2023
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
