How to know if you’re at high risk for breast cancer

While most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years of age or over, about 1 in 10 diagnosed with breast cancer are under 45, and often their cancer is in a later stage when it’s discovered. On this episode, Nina Vincoff, MD, clears up the confusion around mammogram guidelines. She says every woman should go through a risk assessment at a younger age to determine their risk — something most do not discover until their first mammogram. For those at high risk, this can have deadly consequences. The chief of breast imaging at Northwell Health explains what average risk means, how it is calculated, who is at the highest risk and steps women can take before going to their doctor's office.   Chapters 00:50 - Mammogram guidelines 01:41 - What is average risk for breast cancer? 02:26 - Why women should start screening for breast cancer in their 20s 03:06 - What is a risk assessment? 05:46 - Types of risk calculators 07:05 - Breast cancer risk categories 08:00 – Who is at highest risk? 12:18 - What if mammogram isn't enough? 13:14 - Are there risks of mammography? 14:57 - Does insurance cover mammograms? 17:06 - What happens if I am high-risk? 19:00 - Reasons for positivity 20:15 - Be your own best advocate