Breast Health Risk Assessment
Patients using the Breast Health Risk Assessment Service will receive a face-to-face consultation with a breast surgeon who can explain the implications of their results. These patients will also have access to genetic counselling if required.
The BreastHealth Risk Assessment Service comprises the following components:
- Information video to aid decision making
- Questionnaire based on Tyrer-Cuzick Algorithm
- deCODE BreastCancer™ genetic test
- Presentation of combined results as individual risk score
The Breast Health Risk Assessment can be ordered on 0800 085 6616 and our practise managers will guide you through the process. If you find yourself having to collect the DNA sample, please click here for a video guide.
The Tyrer-Cuzick Algorithm
The Tyrer-Cuzick Algorithm is a risk estimation model for breast cancer in healthy women. It takes into account family history, plus a range of other clinical and epidemiological factors, such as a woman’s menarche and the number of times she has given birth.
deCODE BreastCancer™
The deCODE BreastCancer™ test is a genetic test carried out in a laboratory on a sample of a patient’s DNA. It looks for seven common genetic risk factors that have been shown to contribute to a large proportion of female breast cancers.
The validity of these 7 genetic variants as risk factors for the common forms of breast cancer has been shown in large, multinational studies involving nearly 100,000 breast cancer patients and healthy control subjects.
The risk quotients at each of the 7 markers are multiplied together to give a personal genetic risk score from 0.4- to 4.0-fold relative to the average score of 1. About 5% of women have a 2-fold risk for breast cancer compared to the average and about 1% have a 3-fold risk according to the test results only. This translates for white women to a lifetime risk of 20% and 30%, respectively, versus the average risk of 10%. The test does not explain risk due to family history.
The test also predicts the likelihood of any cancer that does occur being oestrogen receptor-positive (ER positive). It is thought that tamoxifen is only effective against ER-positive tumours.
What are the recommendations for women at high risk?
Women with an elevated risk of breast cancer may be offered a higher frequency of private breast screening or may start screening at an earlier age. Patients at very high risk may benefit from MRI screening or the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention. Advice given to patients will be based on professional and NICE guidelines.
There is also lifestyle advice that can help to reduce a woman’s risk – maintaining a healthy weight, restricting alcohol intake, early pregnancy and extended breast feeding (where appropriate) can make a difference.