If your risk is assessed as normal or near normal

Most women have a normal or near normal risk of developing breast cancer. (That is about a 1 in 9 chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 85 - most commonly after the age of 50.) If your risk is normal or near normal you should still consider the 'usual' advice to women. That is:

• Be 'breast aware'. Get to know how your breasts normally look and feel, and report any changes promptly to a doctor.
• Go for routine breast screening. All women in the UK aged between 50 and 70 are invited to have a routine mammography every three years. Mammography is an x-ray test that aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be curative.
• Consider altering other factors which may affect your risk of breast cancer.
  • If you are past the menopause and are overweight or obese, losing some weight will reduce your risk.
  • Regular exercise reduces the risk.
  • If you drink a lot of alcohol the risk is increased. Cutting back to sensible drinking is best if this applies to you.
  • There is a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer if you use the combined oral contraceptive pill or HRT (hormone replacement therapy). If you use these you may wish to consider other options.
  • If you have children, women who breast feed have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who bottle feed.
• See your GP if there is a change in your family history. For example, if a close family member develops cancer of the breast or ovary after your risk of breast cancer has previously been assessed. This may mean that your risk has changed.

If your risk is assessed as moderate or high

You will be offered a referral to see a specialist. He or she will make a detailed assessment of your risk on the basis of family history.

If your risk is confirmed as moderately high
You are likely to be offered mammography screening to commence at the age of 40 (rather than the usual age of 50). Also, mammography is likely to be every year rather than the usual three yearly.

If your risk is high
You are likely to be offered genetic testing and counselling. This may involve tests to see if you carry one or more of the faulty genes mentioned above. Depending on the outcome of the tests and assessment of the risk, some women are offered regular mammography screening from an early age.

For a very small number of women, whose risk is very high, surgery to remove the breasts and/or ovaries before cancer develops may be an option. This is not an option which is taken lightly and is only done after full risk assessment and counselling.

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