Not every woman has the same chance of getting breast cancer. Some women are at high risk, some are in the middle, and some are at low risk. That is why breast cancer screening should not be the same for everyone.
Doctors measure risk in three main groups:
- High risk: More than 20% lifetime chance of breast cancer.
- Intermediate risk: 15% to 20%.
- Low or average risk: Less than 15%.
To know your own group, you can use tools like the BCRiskTool from the US National Cancer Institute. There are also other tools, such as iPrevent from Australia, that look at family history, age, lifestyle, and even genetic changes like BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Why Risk Matters for Breast Cancer Screening
When you know your risk, you can plan your breast cancer screening better. People at high risk may need extra tests. They might start screening earlier in life, have scans more often, or use both mammograms and MRI scans.
People at average risk may only need regular mammograms every few years. This makes screening fair, simple, and effective. It also helps doctors find cancer early while avoiding too many unnecessary tests.
Different Types of Breast Cancer Screening
There are many ways to check for breast cancer:
- Mammography (X-ray of the breast)
- MRI (Magnetic scan)
- Ultrasound (sound waves)
- 3D mammography (digital tomosynthesis)
The right method depends on your risk level. High-risk people may need more than one tool, while low-risk people may only need a mammogram.
The Current UK Screening Model
In the UK, the NHS offers breast cancer screening to women aged 50 to 70 every 3 years. This is the same for everyone, no matter their personal risk.
This “one-size-fits-all” system has been around for decades. But medicine has moved forward. Today, doctors know that breast cancer risk is personal. Some women require earlier screening, while others do not need screening as often.
Why Change Is Needed
Experts say we need a new plan. Instead of a blanket model, the UK should move to risk-based breast cancer screening. That means each person receives a plan tailored to their unique body, family history, and lifestyle.
This will only happen if the public speaks up. People need to ask their doctors about their own risk. Families should talk about it. Friends should share it. The more people know, the more likely change will happen.
Conclusion
Breast cancer screening can save lives. But the right test, at the right time, for the right person saves even more lives. Each woman is unique, and her screening plan should be unique, too. Knowing your personal risk is the first step to protecting your health.
At Genderpedia.ng, we believe every woman deserves to know her own breast cancer risk and take charge of her health. Personalised breast cancer screening is the future, and the time to demand it is now.
