A girl born today has about a 12% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime (about 80 years on average). As she grows older, the longer she lives without developing breast cancer, the lower her lifetime risk becomes. For many women, however, the lifetime risk of breast cancer is of less concern than the short term risk. What are the odds over the next 5 years?

Based on the experience of a large group of women followed over a long period of time, researchers have developed a method for predicting the risk of invasive breast cancer (the most serious form) for women, ages 20 to 84, over the next 5 years of their lives. The method first determines risk according to age and race alone. Then it calculates to what extent risk increases based on the following factors:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Age at first menstrual period
• Age at birth to a first child
• Presence or absence of a breast biopsy
• Results of the biopsy

Here we provide a risk assessment tool adapted from this method. It is important to note that these calculations are based on a population of women who may differ from you, and they do not take into account all risk factors for breast cancer (diet, for example). The results, therefore, may or may not accurately reflect your personal circumstances. The usefulness of this tool is not in the numerical value it generates, but in its ability to give you a rough idea of your short term risk of breast cancer so you may take appropriate action to lower that risk if necessary.