Management of women at increased risk for breast cancer: preliminary results from a new program

 

Table 2: Risk ascertainment criteria and surveillance recommendations
Risk category Risk ascertainment criteria Surveillance recommendations
High Family history of breast cancer in 2 or more first-degree relatives
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer that suggests inherited disease (collection of first- and second-degree relatives)
Bilateral or premenopausal (< 45 years) breast cancer in 1 first-degree relative
Atypical hyperplasia
Lobular carcinoma in situ
Surveillance is started at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest age at which cancer was detected in the family (whichever comes first) or at the time of diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ. Surveillance includes:
  • mammography* -- annually
  • clinical breast examination (CBE) -- every 6 months
  • BSE -- monthly
Moderate Family history in which a number of breast cancer cases exist but the pattern is less likely to be hereditary, and in which high-risk criteria are lacking
Exposure to high-dose radiation (estimated > 100 cGy) in those under age 30 (e.g., for treatment of Hodgkin disease)†
Surveillance is started at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest age at which cancer was detected in the family, or 5 to 10 years after exposure to high-dose radiation. Surveillance includes:
  • mammography* -- annually
  • CBE -- annually
  • BSE -- monthly
Slightly increased Family history limited to 1 relative with postmenopausal disease
Early menarche (<12 years), late menopause (> 55 years), late age at first live birth (> 30), nulligravid, use of hormone replacement therapy
Benign breast disease
High alcohol intake (> 4 oz. [112 mL] daily)
Surveillance is started at age 40 and includes:
  • mammography* -- annually
  • CBE -- annually
  • BSE -- monthly
*Not done in women under age 30 or in those who are pregnant or lactating.
†Patients exposed early in adolescence may have a higher risk of cancer.

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| CMAJ November 1, 1997 (vol 157, no 9) / JAMC le 1er novembre 1997 (vol 157, no 9) |

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