Understanding Your Risk of Breast Cancer

1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER From young adulthood, women worry about their risk of developing breast cancer; we understand that just by being female, we are at risk. Most of us know the statistic, “1 in 8,” or 12% of women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. What we also know is that many women are at much higher risk –and they don’t know it. Conversely, other women are at a substantially lower risk of developing breast cancer than the general population. For these women, focusing on other efforts pertinent to their individualized risk profile – such as diabetes and heart disease prevention – might be more appropriate than enhanced breast cancer detection efforts. Imaging tests including mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI are tests that detect breast cancer. These tests do not prevent cancer or help an individual woman understand her risk. And while early detection is critical because survival rates have significantly improved for women with early disease, prevention of breast cancer entirely is the winning ticket for any individual woman. Research continues to shed light on specific factors that impact an individual woman’s risk for breast cancer. Clinically validated risk models, such as Gail and IBIS Version 8 (Tyrer- Cusick) incorporate factors such as body height and weight, alcohol intake, age at puberty, age at first birth, family history, and breast density to determine an individual woman’s risk and compare that risk to the average risk of breast cancer for a woman the same age in the population. Although current models cannot predict with certainty who will or will not

2. develop the disease, these models help providers identify women who may be at higher- than-average risk. Up to 75% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history or any known inherited genetic cause. Our understanding of genetics and breast cancer is rapidly evolving. Now, more than a dozen genes are known to be associated with hereditary breast cancer, and there is emerging information about the association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and breast cancer. A genetic mutation should be suspected in families who have early onset breast cancer (before age 50), triple negative breast cancer, or cancer in several generations. So, remember, getting a mammogram isn’t the same thing as understanding your own personal breast cancer risk. We now have useful clinical risk assessment tools to determine whether a person is at a higher or lower than average risk of developing the disease. That can determine the next steps to lower risk. Do you know your breast density? Finally, genetics plays a role in about 25% of breast cancers, and healthy lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on overall breast cancer risk reduction. Dr. West provides Breast Cancer Risk Assessments at no additional charge to members of her practice. She’s also pleased to offer them to people who are not yet members for a small fee through a Women’s Health Consultation. Contact us via email or call 571-999-9378 to schedule your assessment today!