Breast Cancer Risk Assessment 1.6

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool serves as an interactive resource for estimating a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer. This tool utilizes a statistical model known as the "Gail model," named in honor of Dr. Mitchell Gail, a Senior Investigator in the Biostatistics Branch of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

Developed by experts at the NCI and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), this assessment tool has recently been updated to improve its applicability for African American women, incorporating insights from the Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences (CARE) Study.

It is important to consider the following points before utilizing the tool:

• The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is intended primarily for use by health professionals. Individuals who are not healthcare providers should consult with their doctor to interpret the results and discuss personal breast cancer risks.
• This tool is not suitable for calculating breast cancer risk in women with a prior diagnosis of breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
• The risk calculator may undergo updates periodically as new research and data emerge.
• While effective in clinical settings for women with significant family histories of breast cancer, it may not be the best option for those known to carry breast cancer-producing mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, who may require more tailored risk assessment methods.
• Additional risk factors, such as previous chest radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma or recent relocation from areas with lower breast cancer prevalence, are not considered by the tool. Its calculations presume that women participate in regular breast cancer screenings typical within the general U.S. population; thus, those who forgo mammograms may exhibit lower probabilities of breast cancer diagnosis.