Know Your Breast Cancer Risk

Understanding your personal risk factors is an important step in taking charge of your breast health. Explore common risk factors and free online assessment tools to help guide a conversation with your doctor.

Understanding Your Risk Factors

Factors You Can't Control

Being a woman and getting older — most breast cancers occur in women over 50
Family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, or daughter)
Inherited gene changes, like BRCA1 or BRCA2
Dense breast tissue
Starting your period early or reaching menopause after 55
A personal history of breast cancer or certain other breast conditions

Factors You Can Influence

Drinking alcohol regularly
Limited physical activity
Being overweight, especially after menopause
Smoking
Long-term use of certain hormone therapies after menopause

Having one or more of these factors doesn't mean you will get breast cancer. Most people diagnosed have no major risk factors beyond being a woman and getting older. It's worth having a conversation with your doctor.

Free Online Risk Assessment Tools

Discuss breast cancer risk assessment tools with your doctor. Each tool uses different information and provides an estimate rather than a diagnosis.

NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (Gail Model)

National Cancer Institute

Best for: Women 35+ with no prior breast cancer diagnosis or BRCA mutation

Estimates your 5-year and lifetime risk using personal and family history. About 5 minutes, free, no sign-up required.

Use Risk Assessment Tool

Tyrer-Cuzick (IBIS) Risk Evaluation Tool

Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London

Best for: Anyone wanting a more detailed, family-history-driven estimate

Estimates 10-year and lifetime risk, factoring in more extensive family and genetic history than most tools. Free for individual use.

Use Risk Evaluation Tool

BCSC Breast Cancer Risk Calculator

Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium

Best for: Women who've had a recent mammogram

Estimates 5-year risk and factors in breast density from your mammogram report — something many tools leave out. Best used with your doctor.

Use Risk Calculator

Assess Your Risk

Bright Pink

Best for: Younger women who want to check both breast and ovarian cancer risk

A quick, plain-language quiz covering personal history, family history, and lifestyle. Free, no sign-up required.

Assess Your Risk

These tools provide estimates only, not a diagnosis. For a fuller comparison, visit Breastcancer.org's risk calculator guide.