What It Really Means to Be Average Risk, Moderate Risk, or High Risk for Breast Cancer

As of now, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer. Certain lifestyle habits can lower your breast cancer risk, but most of the time, there’s no clear reason why breast cancer develops.

Doctors classify women into different risk groups (average, moderate, and high) to help determine how often they should be screened for breast cancer. Screening includes mammograms or other imaging tests.

If you’re unsure, ask your doctor about the right age and frequency to start breast cancer screening.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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