Assessment of Risk for Breast Cancer Utilizing History & Quantitative Models in Primary Care

Breast cancer risk assessment is important in identifying women who may be at higher than average risk for developing the disease. Based upon risk assessment, women at high breast cancer risk may require intensified breast surveillance, and may have chemopreventive or risk-reduction surgery options to reduce breast cancer risks. History is integral to breast cancer risk assessment and to recognize red flags suspect for hereditary breast cancer syndromes. Empiric models are available to calculate breast cancer risks. Nurse practitioners can play an important role in cancer prevention by using appropriate tools to assess women's breast cancer risk in primary care settings.