As a Community Health Worker, you are in a unique position to help individuals better understand their breast cancer risk and feel confident speaking with their healthcare provider. Here's how you can guide and empower your community members through the risk assessment process:

 

Help Women Get Prepared

• Encourage individuals to gather a full picture of their personal and family health history before appointments. This includes:

• Family history of cancer (including breast, ovarian, colon, or aggressive prostate cancers)

• Lifestyle factors like alcohol use, exercise, and diet

• Reproductive and hormonal history

• Breast density, if known

Use simple checklists or conversation guides to help them feel prepared to discuss their concerns with their provider.

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Raise Risk Awareness

Explain that while only 5–10% of breast cancer cases are linked to inherited genes, many people with average risk may still have factors—like dense breasts—that increase their risk. In fact, nearly 50% of women have dense breast tissue. Help individuals understand that risk is personal and multi-layered.

👉 Click here to explore comprehensive risk factors.

                                                                                                    

Introduce Genetic Testing Conversations

If someone has a strong family history or meets other specific criteria, refer them to a trusted and accessible genetic counselor for information about genetic testing. Emphasize that understanding genetic risk can help tailor screening and prevention—not just for them, but sometimes for their family members too.                                                                                                                                                                              

Explain the Gaps in Risk Models​

Let your community know that risk assessment models don’t capture every risk factor. Encourage them to see these tools as a starting point, not the whole story. Their voice and experience matter in shaping the right plan.                                                                                             

Encourage Self-Advocacy 

Support individuals in advocating for a screening plan that fits their full picture. If they feel their provider is relying only on a risk model, remind them they can—and should—ask for a more personalized approach.                                                                                                          

Use Tools to Spark Dialogue

Provide or direct them to tools like our printable risk assessment worksheet. This can help them organize their concerns and questions to have a productive, empowered visit with their provider.                                                                                                                                           

Help Them Ask the Right Questions 

Sometimes the models miss key nuances. Equip your community members with questions that go deeper:

• “Does my family history beyond close relatives matter?”

• “How does dense breast tissue affect my screening needs?”

• “What role do past hormone treatments, trauma, or stress play?”

• “Should my race or ethnicity change when or how I’m screened?”

• “Could my living environment affect my risk?”

These questions can open the door to better care.

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Start the Conversation Early:

Educate your community that risk assessments shouldn’t wait until age 40. Starting around age 25—especially if there’s a strong family history—can lead to better prevention and earlier detection.

Promote a Shared Plan

Help individuals understand that screening plans should be co-created with their provider. A personalized plan may include:

• Starting screening at a younger age

• Using supplemental screening tools (MRI, ultrasound, CEM, etc.)

• Specialist referrals or preventive measures

• More frequent follow-ups based on evolving risk

Reinforce Second Opinions and Self-Trust

Let people know it’s okay to seek a second opinion and trust their instincts if something doesn’t feel right. Empower them to speak up and ask for more information when they need it.

You Are a Bridge to Better Breast Health

Your support helps ensure that breast cancer risk assessment becomes not just a medical step—but a moment of empowerment, education, and action. Together, we can help more women feel seen, supported, and equipped to protect their health.