A risk factor is any factor that is associated with an increased chance of developing a certain condition, such as breast cancer. There are different types of risk factors, some of which can be changed or modified, and some which cannot.

Risk factors for breast cancer can include personal factors, family history and genetic factors, reproductive, lifestyle and environmental factors and medical history and medications.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will develop cancer. Many people have at least one risk factor but will never develop cancer, while others with cancer may have had no known risk factors. Even if a person with cancer has a risk factor, it is usually hard to know how much that risk factor contributed to the development of their disease.

Find out more on the Breast Cancer Risk Factors website.

iPrevent

iPrevent is a validated breast cancer risk assessment and risk management decision support tool designed to facilitate prevention and screening discussions between women and their doctors.

Click here to assess your risk of breast cancer with the iPrevent tool.

Healthcare professionals are also encouraged to visit the eviQ General practitioner referral guidelines for cancer genetics assessment and eviQ Breast cancer – referring to genetics for evidence-based guidance on cases that warrant referral to a family cancer clinical for assessment, based on family history.

Familial Risk Assessment – Breast and Ovarian Cancer (FRA-BOC)

Familial Risk Assessment – Breast and Ovarian Cancer (FRA-BOC) was an online tool designed for use by health professionals such as general practitioners and nurses to assess a patient’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer based on family history.

The tool is no longer available on the Cancer Australia website. More up-to-date tools to assess risk of breast cancer are now available.