Understanding levels of risk

Experts classify the risk of breast cancer into three main groups:

LOW RISK Less than a threefold increased risk of breast cancer compared with the population, a lifetime risk of 10-14%. AdvIcE START REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS SCREENING AROUND 50. MOdERATE RISK A three to sevenfold increased risk, with a lifetime risk of 14-24%. AdvIcE YOU MAY BE OFFERED REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS FROM THE AGE OF 35-40, AND REGULAR BREAST EXAMINATIONS AT THE LOCAL BREAST CLINIC. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO ASK ABOUT CLINICAL TRIALS, FOR EXAMPLE, TAMOXIFEN, AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. HIGH RISK A greater than 7 times increased risk, with a lifetime risk of 25-80%. AdvIcE IN ADDITION TO REGULAR SCREENING, YOU MAY ALSO BE OFFERED GENETIC TESTING, SURGERY TO REMOVE THE BREAST (AND MAYBE THE OVARIES AS WELL), AND DRUG TREATMENT (USUALLY TAMOXIFEN) TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER DEVELOPING.