Frequently Asked Questions

Risk assessment is the foundation of personalised breast screening. We can only create a screening plan tailored to you once we understand your individual risk.

Our calculator is based on the internationally‑validated IBIS (Tyrer–Cuzick) model which has been widely accepted as the most comprehensive risk model due to more detailed data collection. No tool is perfect, but it provides one of the most reliable estimates available when combined with breast density. The more detail you provide, the more accurate and personalised your risk assessment will be.

Family history of breast and ovarian cancer is one of the strongest risk factors. Knowing the number of relatives affected and their age at diagnosis helps refine your personalised risk.

If you don’t know some or all of your family history, or genetic testing results, simply leave those fields blank. Any unanswered questions are treated as ‘unknown’ and the calculator adjusts your risk score accordingly.

Yes. Weight, alcohol, hormones, and reproductive history all play a role. The calculator includes many of these factors when estimating your risk.

Absolutely. New family history, biopsies, or hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, HRT) can all alter risk estimates. That’s why we recommend updating your assessment when things change.

We compare your calculated risk with the average woman’s risk in the population. The categories are:

• Average risk: less than 1.5× the population risk

• Moderate risk: 1.5–3× the population risk

• High risk: greater than 3× the population risk

Yes. Special techniques are used to ensure safe, effective imaging.

No. MRI is complementary. Microcalcifications—a common early sign of breast cancer—are best seen on mammograms.

Dense tissue can obscure cancers on mammograms. We may use contrast- enhanced mammogram, ultrasound or MRI depending on your risk profile.

It depends on your risk category. Many women at average risk screen every two years; women at moderate and high risk usually screen yearly. Your MCBC screening recommendation will include the age of start and frequency of your screening.

It depends on your age, family history, and risk level. We’ll advise you and the imaging provider of your eligibility prior to your scans.

You’ll receive tailored recommendations, which may include earlier and more frequent screening, MRI eligibility, genetic counselling/testing, and referral to a breast specialist.

Please book a consult promptly. Symptomatic assessment is different from screening and should not be delayed.

No. Your data are handled confidentially and used only to generate your report. Results are shared only with your consent, usually with your GP or nominated specialist.