At HerMD, we believe your health deserves priority every month. This October, we’re dedicating special awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month by reminding you: early detection can save lives. Whether it’s scheduling your annual screening, learning your risk factors, or talking with a HerMD provider about breast health, we’re here to guide you and support you every step of the way.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, accounting for an estimated 32% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in women each year. An estimated 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.
Risk Factors
Understanding your personal risk factors is the first step toward prevention. Knowing your risk can help you make informed decisions about screening, testing, and other preventive measures to protect your health.
Common breast cancer risk factors include:
- Being assigned female at birth
- Increasing age
- Race: breast cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women than women of other races
- Family history: if your mother, sister, father or child was diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, especially before age 50, your own risk of breast cancer may be higher
- Personal reproductive history: starting your menstrual cycle before age 12, starting menopause after age 55
- Inherited genetic mutations: BRCA1, BRCA2, or other high-risk inherited genetic mutations
- Dense breast tissue
- Prior radiation therapy: particularly to the chest, before age 30
- Alcohol use
- Lack of physical activity
- Being above a healthy weight range
- Certain types of hormone therapy: in women without a history of breast cancer who are over the age of 50, using combination hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin) for five or more years slightly increases breast cancer risk
Early Detection
Screening helps catch disease in its earliest stages, often before any signs or symptoms are noticeable.
Screening methods for breast cancer include:
✅Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast used to detect tumors or abnormalities early. Recommended annually or every 1–2 years for women at average risk starting around age 40, or earlier for those at higher risk.
✅Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed breast images. A screening breast MRI is recommended for women who have no symptoms but are considered higher risk, helping detect cancers that might not yet appear on a mammogram. A diagnostic breast MRI is performed to investigate a specific concern, such as an abnormal mammogram, a new lump, or to determine the extent of a known cancer.
✅Breast Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to examine breast tissue. Often used as a supplement to mammograms, especially for women with dense breasts or to investigate a specific area of concern.
✅Clinical Breast Exam: A physical exam performed by a healthcare provider to check for lumps or abnormalities. Recommended regularly for all women, often during annual checkups.
Available Testing and Prevention Tools at HerMD
At HerMD, we believe every patient deserves personalized insight into their cancer risk. That’s why HerMD providers offer a range of tools and assessments to help patients understand their risk and take proactive, informed steps toward early detection and better health outcomes.
These include:
✅Tyrer–Cuzick (TC) Score: A personalized breast cancer risk assessment that estimates your ten-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer based on genetics, family history, and personal health factors.
Knowing your TC score helps your provider determine whether you may benefit from modified screening protocols, such as earlier mammograms, breast MRI, or additional genetic testing.
✅MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test: A genetic screening tool designed for individuals with a family history of certain cancers. It analyzes 48 genes to identify an individual’s risk of developing 11 types of hereditary cancers, taking into account both personal and family history, and is collected via a simple blood or saliva sample.
It also includes a RiskScore, which provides a comprehensive, personalized assessment of an individual’s five-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
✅Galleri® Multi-Cancer Early Detection test: A blood test that screens for cancer signals in DNA and, if a signal is detected, can predict where in the body the cancer cells may have originated. Galleri® can detect signals from more than 50 types of cancer, helping identify cancers early, often before symptoms appear.
The Galleri® test is recommended for adults with an elevated risk of cancer, such as those aged 50 and older. It is also available to individuals who do not carry known genetic mutations but have a strong family history of cancer.
✅ Targeted HerMD Diagnostic panels: For individuals at increased risk of breast cancer, HerMD partners with specialized labs to offer targeted genetic testing panels.
Know Your Risk. Be Proactive.
Understanding your personal risk for breast cancer is the first step toward prevention. Talk with your healthcare provider about your family history, screening options, and any genetic or lifestyle factors that may affect your risk. Taking action today can help you detect breast cancer early and protect your long-term health.