A new breast cancer risk prediction model combining information on family history, genetics and lifestyle is the most comprehensive yet to predict women’s risk of developing the disease, researchers say.

While yet to be validated, the new tool is being developed into an online calculator and could help clinicians counsel women on how to manage or modify their risk, according to the research group from the University of Cambridge in the UK.

The investigators started with an existing breast cancer prediction algorithm called Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA) that combines information on family history, screening for variants in high risk genes (BRCA1, BRCA 2, PALB2, CHECK2 and ATM), tumour pathology and basic demographic factors.

And extended this model to incorporate polygenic risk scores covering more than 300 genetic indicators for breast cancer, as well as the effects of lifestyle and hormonal and reproductive risk factors.