A new online tool developed at the University of Cambridge, U.K., helps doctors predict a patient’s risk of Breast cancer cell. Source: Anne Weston, Francis Crick Institutedeveloping breast cancer. The system combines information on family history and genetics with other factors such as weight, age at menopause, alcohol consumption and use of hormone replacement therapy. By considering these factors simultaneously, groups of women who have different risks of developing breast cancer can be identified.

The CanRisk calculator is based on the breast and ovarian analysis of disease incidence and carrier estimation algorithm (BOADICEA) and accounts for over 300 genetic risk factors in addition to other data inputs. The ability to precisely stratify patients into a variety of different risk groups helps doctors better tailor individual care to patients, avoid unnecessary screening for low-risk patients or prescribe preventive therapies for high-risk ones.

CanRisk is now being tested by healthcare professionals prior to its release for wider use. Research on the predictive model is published in Genetics in Medicine.