Q. A friend of mine at work was diagnosed with breast cancer. How do I better understand my risk?

A. Risk assessment is a natural concern to women, especially since breast cancer is being talked about much more openly today than in the ’70s or ’80s. You never seemed to hear about a neighbor, colleague or friend developing it, but now it seems commonplace.

The key, however, is not only to find out your risk but what to do with that information.

There are several online tools that are very easy to use on any home computer. One is at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and can be accessed here.

One of the more widely accepted models by most of the major medical centers is the Tyrer Cuzick risk calculator because it is one of the most comprehensive. This site requires you to download the tool, and it only works on Windows-based operating systems: www.ems-trials.org/riskevaluator.

Normal risk is less than 15 percent, intermediate risk is between 15 and 20 percent, and high risk is 20 percent or more. For women at high risk, the American Cancer Society and many other reputable medical organizations recommend adjunct screening with an annual breast MRI. For women at intermediate risk, especially for those with dense breast tissue, many full service regional breast centers offer adjunct screening with whole breast ultrasound.

Research is beginning to substantiate the notion that this can be a useful added tool for women who want additional peace of mind over mammography.

It is most important to understand that 75 percent of women who get breast cancer have no risk factors at all, so please remember, friends don’t let friends skip mammograms.

Michael J. Ulissey, M.D., is a partner at the Breast Diagnostic Centers of Auburn and Federal Way. In addition to taking care of patients locally, he continues to participate in research as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center. You can reach him at Mike@breastdiagnostic.com.