Some women with a personal history of high-risk breast lesions, a personal history of breast cancer, dense breast tissue, or a family history of breast cancer may fit into the intermediate- or high-risk categories, depending upon their specific risk factors or combination of factors [3]. Elevated risk is sometimes used to refer to women in both the intermediate- and high-risk categories [3]. Breast cancer screening guidelines vary across medical professional organizations, although published guidelines agree that regular breast cancer screening decreases morbidity and breast cancer mortality [5-7]. Medical professional organizations may also define breast cancer risk categories using different methodologies. Although screening guidelines for high-risk patients have typically been similar, discrepant recommendations for average- and intermediate-risk women have sparked controversy and confusion. In part due to differences in screening guidelines, use of breast cancer screening modalities remains suboptimal in women of all risk categories. The ACR encourages patients to undergo breast cancer risk assessment by 25 years of age, so elevated-risk patients have the opportunity to benefit from earlier and more aggressive breast cancer screening regimens, when appropriate [3]. The ACR recommends that both the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening and supplemental screening be considered to assist patients in making informed decisions regarding their health care [8]. aPanel Chair, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. bMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. cMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. dPanel Vice-Chair, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. eClinica Family Health, Lafayette, Colorado; American Academy of Family Physicians. fLenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, New York; American College of Surgeons. gWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Female Breast Cancer Screening. Some women with a personal history of high-risk breast lesions, a personal history of breast cancer, dense breast tissue, or a family history of breast cancer may fit into the intermediate- or high-risk categories, depending upon their specific risk factors or combination of factors [3]. Elevated risk is sometimes used to refer to women in both the intermediate- and high-risk categories [3]. Breast cancer screening guidelines vary across medical professional organizations, although published guidelines agree that regular breast cancer screening decreases morbidity and breast cancer mortality [5-7]. Medical professional organizations may also define breast cancer risk categories using different methodologies. Although screening guidelines for high-risk patients have typically been similar, discrepant recommendations for average- and intermediate-risk women have sparked controversy and confusion. In part due to differences in screening guidelines, use of breast cancer screening modalities remains suboptimal in women of all risk categories. The ACR encourages patients to undergo breast cancer risk assessment by 25 years of age, so elevated-risk patients have the opportunity to benefit from earlier and more aggressive breast cancer screening regimens, when appropriate [3]. The ACR recommends that both the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening and supplemental screening be considered to assist patients in making informed decisions regarding their health care [8]. aPanel Chair, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. bMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. cMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. dPanel Vice-Chair, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. eClinica Family Health, Lafayette, Colorado; American Academy of Family Physicians. fLenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, New York; American College of Surgeons. gWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.