A NEW randomized study finds that integrating breast density and polygenic risk scores (PRS) into breast cancer risk assessments significantly alters individual risk estimates and may influence future screening strategies. Among 663 healthy women with a family history of breast cancer but no known pathogenic variants, the addition of these multifactorial data points led to a reclassification in risk group for one-third of participants. Notably, 5% were reclassified into the high-risk category, while 20% shifted into lower surveillance groups.
The study also examined how women interpreted and emotionally responded to their revised risk through two delivery methods: in-person consultations or a pre-recorded educational video. Both models were equally effective in minimizing cancer-related worry, the study’s primary endpoint. Mean worry scores were statistically similar between the in-person [mean 10.2 (SD 3.1)] and video [mean 10.1 (SD 2.7)] arms. However, in-person delivery led to slightly better psychological outcomes on secondary measures and greater user satisfaction.
Importantly, after receiving their revised risk assessment, 65% of participants reported a perception of their own risk that matched their estimated risk, up from just 47% at baseline. This alignment supports the value of comprehensive, personalized assessments in improving understanding and potentially increasing adherence to tailored screening or prevention plans.
The use of a video model presents a scalable and cost-efficient method to deliver individualized risk information to women at moderate or average risk. Despite a slight preference for in-person sessions, few women in the video group sought further clarification, suggesting that high-fidelity video may offer a viable option for broader population-level implementation.
These findings reinforce the utility of incorporating both genetic and non-genetic factors in breast cancer risk stratification and suggest that personalized risk communication can effectively influence patient perception and planning without increasing psychological burden.
Reference:
Phillips KA et al. A randomized study of 2 risk assessment models for individualized breast cancer risk estimation. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2025. doi:djaf067. [Online ahead of print]
