On Wednesday, it was revealed that a 43-year-old actress underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite testing negative for the BRCA gene just two months prior, the actress's OB/GYN calculated her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, indicating a 37% lifetime risk of breast cancer. Subsequent tests revealed an aggressive cancer in both breasts, emphasizing the importance of early detection.
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), also known as The Gail Model, estimates a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer within the next five years and in her lifetime. Factors such as age, family history, and race are considered in the assessment, which takes only a few minutes to complete.
Women with a 5-year risk of 1.67% or higher and a lifetime risk of 20% or more are classified as high risk. Annual mammograms and breast MRIs are recommended for these individuals starting at age 30 to aid in early detection.
Mammograms are crucial for detecting breast cancer early, as it affects a significant portion of women in the United States. Recent guidelines suggest all women should start screening every other year at age 40 to potentially save more lives.
In addition to regular screenings, women are advised to practice breast self-awareness, familiarizing themselves with the normal look and feel of their breasts to detect any abnormalities during self-examinations.
