What's your Breast Cancer Risk?

The Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator can help you determine your risk for breast cancer.

I had never heard of the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Calculator prior to my sisters diagnosis. Sadly, so many women don’t know about it until they are in the same boat as me or worse. But knowing your score is critical to your health because not only does it keep you alert to your monthly self exams, but it also gives you access to more proactive healthcare. If you score a 20% or higher, tell your primary care doctor or OBGYN and ask that you be referred to a high risk breast center. Once there, will you be given information on how to lower your risk, whether that is lifestyle modifications and/or medication along with alternating MRI’s and mammograms every six months.

Another reason I think this risk assessment tool is so important is because it forces you to learn your family history. I have spoken to several women over the last couple months that had no idea breast cancer ran in their family. Let me give you an example of how quickly this can be overlooked. Depending on the patients pathology report, not all breast cancers even require chemotherapy. What if this family members diagnosis took about 5-6 weeks from their first test to determine diagnosis to surgery? Would they be talking about it? What if this was the case for your grandmother 50 years ago? Would you even know about it?

Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Calculator for Breast Cancer

This test isn’t meant to scare you but the truth of the matter is, it might. My score scared me, but it also provided me with access and opportunity. Ask your parents if they new anyone in their thirties that was diagnosed with this disease. I bet very few of them will say yes. Today, it seems to be way more common and that makes me sick to my stomach.

The majority of the women I’ve met with this disease do not have a genetic predisposition like the BRCA gene. My genetics counselor told me there are so many gene clusters that haven’t been identified which means there is absolutely more breast cancer genes out there, we just haven’t found them yet. Science is amazing but we still have a long way to go.

Know your risk, feel on the first and trust your gut.

Love, Lanie