Early detection of breast cancer can decrease death by 15 to 40 percent, but guidelines for screening can be complex and sometimes contradictory. Online models are available that allow people to calculate their risk, but Nina D’Abreo, MD, medical director of the breast health program at Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, recommends consulting with a healthcare provider for guidance on screening.

“Some models may overestimate some factors, and women may be alarmed by the findings,” says Dr. D’Abreo, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine. “Context matters. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk of getting breast cancer and what screening is appropriate for you.”

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