title: Accuracy of personal breast cancer risk estimation in cancer-free women during primary care visits.
abstract: To determine the accuracy of personal breast cancer risk estimation, interviews were conducted of 110 women between November 2004 and May 2005 during primary care visits. The average age of the women was 39 years. Considering their lifetime breast cancer risk, 49% of women perceived their risk to be low, 35% average, and 11% high. Compared to Gail-model lifetime risk scores, 62% of women were inaccurate and underestimated or overestimated risk. Factors affecting accuracy of risk prediction were race, family history of cancer, alcohol use and exercise. Our study highlights the need for personalized breast cancer education between an individual woman and her health care provider.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA.
authors.forename: Amy Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Crepeau
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Willoughby
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinsky
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hinyard
authors.forename: Maulik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010469:Perceptual Distortion; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health