4. Why are some other risk factors left out of the Tool?
Other risk factors for
breast cancer have been identified or proposed but are not included in the
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool for several reasons: because evidence that
these factors contribute to breast cancer risk is not conclusive, because
researchers cannot determine whether these factors add useful information to
factors already in the model, or because data on other risk factors was not
available in the research data used to develop the model. Such risk factors
include: age at menopause, use of birth control pills, high body mass index, a
high-fat diet, alcohol, radiation exposure, and environmental pollutants.
Recently published research indicates that breast tissue density, measured from
mammograms, can add useful information, but risk models with breast tissue
density measurement still need to be validated with additional independent
studies. Research also indicates that other risk factors, such as use of hormone
therapy, might improve the tool.
5. Is the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool useful for all women?
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool was developed for women in the United
States population age 35 years or older. It should not be used for women with a
previous diagnosis of breast cancer, women exposed to breast radiation for
treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma, or women who reside in, or recently migrated
from, regions with low breast cancer risk, such as rural China or Japan. More
accurate methods to project risk may be available for women with certain rare
identified mutations, such as alterations in the breast cancer susceptibility
genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool was developed and
has been validated in populations consisting mainly of non-Hispanic white women.
More research is needed to validate or refine the model for other racial and
ethnic groups.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
There are a number of different methods of birth control to include: barrier methods, IUDs, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical sterilization. Birth control methods can be reversible or permanent. In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb) and starting to grow.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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