Are You at Risk for Skin, Breast, or Cervical Cancer?

Some people may have more than an average risk of developing particular types of cancer. These people can be identified by certain risk factors.

This simple self-testing method is designed by the American Cancer Society to help you assess your risk factors for three common types of cancer. These are the major risk factors but by no means represent the only ones that might be involved.

Check your response to each risk factor. Add the numbers in the parentheses to arrive at a total score for each cancer type. Find out what your score means by reading the information in the "Interpretation" section. You are advised to discuss the information with your physician if you are at a higher risk.

Skin Cancer

1. Frequent work or play in the sun
   1. Yes (10)
   2. No (1)
2. Work in mines, around coal tars, or around radio-activity
   1. Yes (10)
   2. No (1)
3. Complexion- fair skin or light skin
   1. Yes (10)
   2. No (1)

Add your total points: __________

Explanation

1. Excessive ultraviolet light causes skin cancer. Protect yourself with a sunscreen.
2. These materials can cause skin cancer.
3. Light complexions need more protection than others.

Interpretation

Numerical risks for skin cancer are difficult to state. For instance, a person with a dark complexion can work longer in the sun and be less likely to develop cancer than a light-complected person. Furthermore, a person wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a wide-brimmed hat may work in the sun and be less at risk than a person who wears a bathing suit and stays in the sun for only a short period. The risk increases greatly with age.

The key here is if you answered "yes" to any question, you need to realize that you have above-average risk.

Breast Cancer

1. Age group
   1. 20-34 (10)
   2. 5-49 (40)
   3. 50 & over (90)
2. Race/nationality
   1. Asian (5)
   2. Black (20)
   3. White (25)
   4. Mexican-American (10)
3. Family history of breast cancer
   1. Mother, sister, or grandmother (30)
   2. None (10)
4. Your history
   1. No breast disease (10)
   2. Previous noncancerous lumps or cysts (25)
   3. Previous breast cancer (100)
5. Maternity
   1. First pregnancy before age 25 (10)
   2. First pregnancy after age 25 (15)
   3. No pregnancies (20)

Add your total points: __________

Interpretation

Low-risk women should practice a monthly breast self-examination (BSE) and have their breasts examined by a doctor as part of a cancer-related checkup.

Moderate-risk women should practice monthly BSE and have their breasts examined by a doctor as part of a cancer-related checkup. Periodic mammograms should be included as your doctor may advise.

High-risk women should practice monthly BSE and have the examinations and mammograms described earlier.

Cervical Cancer*

1. Age group
   1. Less than 25 (10)
   2. 25-39 (20)
   3. 40-54 (30)
   4. 55 & over (30)
2. Race/nationality
   1. Asian (10)
   2. Puerto Rican (20)
   3. Black (20)
   4. White (10)
   5. Mexican-American (20)
3. Number of pregnancies
   1. 0 (10)
   2. 1 to 3 (20)
   3. 4 and over (30)
4. Viral infections
   1. Herpes and other viral infections or ulcer formations on the vagina (10)
   2. Never (1)
5. Age at first intercourse
   1. Before 15 (40)
   2. 15-19 (30)
   3. 20-24 (20)
   4. 25 & over (10)
6. Bleeding between periods or after intercourse
   1. Yes (40)
   2. No (1)

Add your total points: __________

Explanation

The highest occurrence is in the 40-and-over age group. The numbers represent the relative rates of cancer for different age groups. A 45-year-old woman has a risk 3 times higher than a 20-year-old.

• Puerto Ricans, blacks, and Mexican Americans have higher rates of cervical cancer.
• Women who have delivered more children have a higher occurrence.
• Viral infections of the cervix and vagina are associated with cervical cancer.
• Women with earlier intercourse and with more sexual partners are at a higher risk.
• Irregular bleeding may be a sign of uterine cancer.

To Carry This Further

This is a low-risk group. Ask your doctor for a Pap test. You will be advised how often you should be tested after your first test.

In this moderate-risk group, more frequent Pap tests ma be required.

You are in a high-risk group and should have a Pap test (and pelvic examination) as advised by your doctor.

* Lower portion of uterus. These questions would not apply to a woman who has had a complete hysterectomy.