Website Offers Free Breast Cancer Risk Test

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Lancaster General Health has developed a Breast Cancer Profiler. This online self-exam allows women to identify their own breast cancer risk factors, reports LancasterOnline.

The assessment takes 10 minutes and is based on the model that was created by the National Cancer Institute and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.

The LGH profiler is only for women and in order to calculate the chance of getting the disease, will ask for information such as: height and weight, race, heredity, breast-feeding experience, smoking, activity level, alcohol consumption, and ages at first period and start of menopause.

The results are presented in a red-yellow-green diagram with specific risk factors carefully outlined in detail. The results can also be emailed and printed to be taken to a primary physician or gynecologist should there be any trouble interpreting the results or have questions regarding it. For women who have a higher risk, they can seek advice through the Penn Medicine Cancer Risk Evaluation Program.

According to BreastCancer.org, the statistics in U.S. for women who develop breast cancer is 1 in 8 or over 12% of the female population. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and its death rates are significantly higher than any other form of cancer. Although it is more common in women, there have been cases where men have been diagnosed with the deadly disease. A man's life risk for breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

According to statistics, about 85% of women who get diagnosed have no family history of the deadly disease. The cancer occurs due to genetic mutations as a result of aging. About 15% of the women's risk for the disease doubles when they have relatives in the first degree who have had breast cancer.

The first sign of breast cancer is often a lump in the breast or any abnormalities found in a mammogram. According to WebMD, there are many stages of the cancer; ranging from curable to metastatic.

In its earlier stages, breast cancer has no symptoms. Once a tumor develops, among the many symptoms of breast cancer may include: feeling of pain or tenderness in the breast area, armpit swelling, unusual discharge from the nipple, any itching, dimpling or burning sensation to the nipples, and many more.

It is important to regularly check for any lumps or bumps in your breasts if your family has any history of breast cancer. There is a higher chance of beating the disease when it is immediately treated as soon as it is discovered.