If a woman’s risk to develop breast cancer over the next five years is 1.7% or greater, the
National Comprehensive
Cancer Network recommends consideration of chemoprevention to reduce breast cancer risk. This
means taking medication to prevent breast cancer. Examples of these medications are tamoxifen and
raloxifene. Studies have shown that these drugs can decrease the risk of breast cancer by
approximately 50% in high risk women. Patients should discuss the use of these types of
medications (including their risks and benefits) with their referring physician(s). For more
information on this topic, patients can contact our Risk Assessment and
Prevention Program at 720-493-3700 or via email at
RAPP@riaco.com.
View the National Cancer Institute
fact sheet about chemoprevention for breast cancer for more information.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Access the Gail Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
to assess your breast cancer risk. This user-friendly calculator will provide an estimate of a
woman’s breast cancer risk. Please note that, in certain circumstances, the Gail model may
under- or overestimate risk. For example, it may underestimate risk for patients who have a family
history of ovarian cancer or for those who have a family history of breast cancer in second-degree
relatives (i.e. aunts, grandmother). Additional models are available in these situations and patients
can request a more detailed breast cancer risk assessment through the Risk
Assessment and Prevention Program at Invision Sally Jobe.