Normal Screenings - are they enough?

  There was recent news that Olivia Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023. This usually would not be news I care to share on here except for the interesting sequence of events that led to her diagnosis. 

• She took a genetic test in February 2023 that looks for 90 different cancer genes and tested negative for all of them, including the BRCA gene which substantially increases the risk for cancer.
• She also had a routine mammogram and the results came back normal, however, two months later she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Her OB/GYN calculated her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, via the Tyrer-Cuzik Risk Calculator, that estimates your personal risk of developing breast cancer. She said without that tool, it is likely she would not have been diagnosed until the following year at her next scheduled mammogram. Her score was a 37%.
• Of note, she had a very aggressive form of breast cancer and required a double mastectomy. Who knows where one more year would have left her.

 Wednesday challenge - check your risk assessment score here (same link as above).

 Interestingly enough, my case was different. My mammogram indicated some findings that warranted a focused ultrasound followed by an ultrasound and immediate biopsy. An MRI assisted with further diagnostics due to the density of my tissue. I took the risk assessment today as I had never heard of it before and it indicated that I have a personal 10 year risk of 2.60% and a personal lifetime risk of 18.40%.

 This is why it will and can take all kinds of screenings to ensure you know your risk!

What do these scores mean?

 From Medical News Today:

Based on their Tyrer-Cuzick score, a doctor will put a person’s risk of developing breast cancer into one of three categories:

Average risk

Doctors generally consider a person with a Tyrer-Cuzick score of less than 15% at average risk of developing breast cancer. A score in this range indicates the person does not necessarily need additional tests outside those generally recommended.

The American Cancer Society currently suggests that people at average risk for breast cancer consider beginning to have annual mammograms from age 40. Those aged 45–54 should have a mammogram every year, switching to every other year from age 55 on if they wish. Other personal factors may also influence the frequency of testing.

Intermediate risk

A score of 15–19% indicates an intermediate risk of developing breast cancer. Doctors may recommend additional testing for some people at this risk level, such as those with dense breast tissue. Before proceeding, doctors will explain the issues that can arise from additional testing, such as false positives and other risks of mammogram tests.

High risk

Doctors typically consider a score over 20% high risk. They may recommend that people in the high risk group get additional screening tests every year, such as a breast MRI. Doctors may also have further recommendations for each individual, such as supplemental ultrasound testing for those with very dense breast tissue.