Gail Model Breast Risk

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT)

Current Age

Age at Menarche

Age at First Live Birth

First-Degree Relatives w/ Breast Ca

Number of Prior Breast Biopsies

Note: The Gail Model is most accurate for women over 35 without a personal history of LCIS or DCIS. A 5-year risk ≥ 1.67% is considered "high risk" and may justify chemoprevention.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

Primary Clinical Uses

Estimating the 5-year and lifetime risk of developing invasive breast cancer in women aged 35 years and older.

Determining eligibility for prophylactic breast cancer risk-reducing medications (Tamoxifen/Raloxifene).

Triaging patients for enhanced screening protocols (e.g., adjunctive Breast MRI).

Exclusion Criteria

This tool is useless and invalid for patients with known BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic mutations, patients with a history of Lobular/Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS/DCIS), or those who have received prior medical radiation to the chest.

How it Works

The Required Variables

Current Age of the patient.

Age at menarche (earlier is higher estrogen exposure risk).

Age at the time of first live birth (or nulliparity; older age is higher risk).

Number of first-degree female relatives (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer.

Number of previous benign breast biopsies.

Presence of Atypical Hyperplasia explicitly confirmed on a prior biopsy.

Scoring Threshold

5-Year Risk ≥ 1.67%	Considered "High Risk". Chemoprevention discussion indicated.
5-Year Risk < 1.67%	Standard screening protocols.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

In Recent Clinical News

Scanning Medical Journals

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Gail Model Breast Risk