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Questions You May Want to Ask Your Health Care Provider – Breast Cancer Risk

For those at average risk of breast cancer

  • What factors may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer for me?
  • What steps can I take to lower my risk of breast cancer?
  • How can I assess my risk of breast cancer? How accurate are the methods? How will this information help me?
  • What breast cancer screening tests should I have? When should I start? How often should I get screened?
  • How do I find out if I have dense breasts? How does having dense breasts affect my risk of breast cancer? What breast cancer screening tests should I have?
  • What’s the best way to manage menopausal symptoms? Is menopausal hormone therapy (also known as postmenopausal hormone use or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)) a safe way to manage them? Are there other options to consider?

For women at high risk of breast cancer

Learn more about options for women at higher risk of breast cancer.

If you’ve been told you’re at higher risk for breast cancer, it may be helpful to download and print some of Susan G. Komen®‘s resources. For example, we have Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Inherited Gene Mutations resource and Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Breast Density resource.

You can write on them at your next doctor’s appointment. Or, you can download, type and save it on your computer, tablet or phone during a telehealth visit using an app such as Adobe. Plenty of space and a notes section are provided to jot down answers to the questions.

There are other Questions to Ask Your Doctor resources on many different breast cancer topics you may wish to download.

For women with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

  • What is LCIS? Is it invasive breast cancer?
  • Should I take a risk-lowering drug (such as tamoxifen)? What are the benefits and risks for me?
  • What breast cancer screening tests should I have? Can you discuss options, such as breast MRI? When should I start screening? How often should I get screened?
  • Are there clinical trials enrolling people with LCIS? If so, how can I learn more?
  • What will my long-term follow-up care include? Who will oversee that care?
  • What are my chances of developing non-invasive or invasive breast cancer in the future?
  • What’s the best way to manage menopausal symptoms? Is menopausal hormone therapy (also known as postmenopausal hormone use or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)) a safe way to manage them? Are there other options to consider?

Learn about LCIS and breast cancer risk.

For women considering genetic testing

  • Should my family and I consider genetic testing? What issues should we consider before getting genetic testing?
  • Can you recommend a genetic counselor to help me and my family decide if genetic testing is right for us?
  • How much does genetic testing cost? Does my insurance cover it?

Learn more about genetic testing.

For women who’ve had breast cancer

  • What healthy behaviors might help reduce my risk of breast cancer recurrence and improve my survival?
  • How does my breast cancer diagnosis affect the risk of breast cancer for my family members?
  • What lifestyle behaviors can help my family members lower their risk of breast cancer?
  • Should my family and I consider genetic testing? What issues should we consider before getting genetic testing?
  • Can you recommend a genetic counselor to help me and my family decide if genetic testing is right for us?
  • How much does genetic testing cost? Does my insurance cover it?
  • Since women who have had breast cancer should avoid menopausal hormone therapy (also known as postmenopausal hormone use or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)), what’s the best way for me to manage menopausal symptoms?

Learn more about talking with your health care provider. 

Updated 03/18/22