Why the breast cancer risk calculator exists

I created the breast cancer risk calculator initially to satisfy my own need to rapidly calculate risks.  When I asked my female friends and co-workers,  they told me that putting a free risk calculator on the internet would be very interesting to most women.

During the process of finding out how to perform the calculation,  I realized that it is very difficult to understand all the complex published medical literature on the topic.  I am not an epidemiologist, nor an expert on breast cancer statistics,  but as a radiologist and mammographer,  I have some familiarity with the topic.

I have done my best to be selective and honest about the methods I've used in my calculator.  The methods are described and the programming code can be examined by anyone using "view source" in their web browsers.  I'd be glad to consider suggestions from experts to improve the calculator in the future.  I welcome constructive criticism (mixed with a little flattery works best).   Since most women tend to overestimate their risk, I think most women would prefer a free calculated ESTIMATE, even if slightly inaccurate,  rather than trying to guess their personal risk from the many other web sites that list the risk factors without a calculation.

Sincerely,
Steven B. Halls, MD

back to the Breast Cancer Risk calculator, or visit the halls.md index, body mass index and ideal weight calculators.