Frequently asked questions

All input data should be as accurate as possible

For family members diagnosed with cancer, their ‘age of diagnosis’ should be as accurate as possible

Include any genetic test results for the family members

Include pathology results for family members diagnosed with cancer

If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, this must be recorded in family history.

Evidence suggests certain genetic variants and risk factors are similar across all ethnic groups.

However, further research is required to understand underlying cancer incidence rates in non-European ethnicities, as well as the impact of lifestyle and hormonal risk factors on specific ethnic groups.

For example, Asian women residing in their countries of origin have a different incidence of breast cancer compared to those who have migrated to the USA.

Evidence suggests certain genetic variants and risk factors are similar across all ethnic groups.

However, further research is required to understand underlying cancer incidence rates in non-European ethnicities, as well as the impact of lifestyle and hormonal risk factors on specific ethnic groups. For example, Asian women residing in their countries of origin have a different incidence of breast cancer compared to those who have migrated to the USA.

Evidence suggests certain genetic variants and risk factors are similar across all ethnic groups.

However, further research is required to understand underlying cancer incidence rates in non-European ethnicities, as well as the impact of lifestyle and hormonal risk factors on specific ethnic groups. For example, Asian women residing in their countries of origin have a different incidence of breast cancer compared to those who have migrated to the USA.

Ideally, input data should be as accurate as possible.

Errors or omissions in your information can lead to inaccuracies in the risk assessment.

No, BRRISK only takes into account pathology information for an individual’s first breast cancer.

When completing BRRISK information fields, check ’yes’ to ‘were you adopted?’ in the personal details section. Then confirm whether you have access to the family history of your biological (birth) parents.

If you have access to one (or both) parent(s), then their information should be entered in the family history section.

If you don’t have access to either parent, BRRISK will calculate a risk based on the available data you have entered.

Information for adopted (non-biological) parents should not be included.

$35 for a one-off joining fee that includes your first 2 risk assessment reports

PLUS

$5 annual subscription - maximum 2 reports per annum

OR

$20 pay as you go per report

What does BRRISK Cost

BRRISK was developed by a New Zealand-based team of medical professionals, genetics experts and medical software specialists using an algorithm developed at the University of Cambridge Department of Public Health and Primary Care in the UK.

We recognised that New Zealanders needed a way to understand and have more control over their personal risk of breast cancer.

You will require a connected smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer to access BRRISK.

You will also need to create an account so that you can start populating your personal, medical and family history information.

All the personal, medical and family history you enter into BRRISK is stored here in New Zealand. Our commitment is that your data will always remain in the country.

View our privacy policy

New Zealand Family Cancer Service, the owner of BRRISK, will only share de-identified data with researchers affiliated with New Zealand universities. We only support research that aims to improve outcomes for people with breast cancer or will assist in the further development of BRRISK for Māori and other ethnic communities in Aotearoa.

View our privacy policy

New Zealand Family Cancer Service, a privately-owned New Zealand business.

BRRISK generates two versions of the report. One version for you and one for your general practitioner/family doctor (GP).

Your version of the report can be found in the reports section of your BRRISK account. From here, you can view or email a copy to yourself.

Once a report is generated, the GP version is automatically emailed to your nominated GP. You can also email the report to another healthcare professional by entering their details in the reports section.

The risk of breast cancer changes over time, so we recommend you update your personal details when changes occur or if there has been an update in your family history. Even if your data hasn’t changed, we recommend generating a report annually, because breast cancer risk modifies with age and a report could provide valuable input into your annual check-up with your GP.

Just after your regular mammogram is also a good time to update BRRISK. Remember to ask for your breast density measurement and enter this into BRRISK before you generate an updated report.

We suggest you add your own email to where we request your GP’s email address. Once your report is generated, you can print out a copy and post it to your GP.

Yes. BRRISK has been developed to work in partnership with your general practitioner/family doctor.

The results of BRRISK will assist your GP with the recommendations they make, whether this is additional surveillance, referral to a specialist or genetic assessment.

Yes. You can email the report to another doctor by entering their details in the reports section of BRRISK.

To use this voucher, you need to create an account in BRRISK. During this process you can enter the voucher code. The value of the voucher is deducted from the final amount you will be charged.

A BRRISK coupon and voucher cannot be used together.

You may wish to give one of them away to a family member or a friend.

Thanks for joining BRRISK. Unfortunately you won’t be able to use the voucher, as they are intended for use with new accounts. However, you can give the voucher to a family member or friend.

To use this coupon you need to create an account in BRRISK. During this process you can enter the coupon code. The coupon discount will be applied to your joining fee, reducing the amount you will be charged.

If you have already joined BRRISK you won’t be able to use the coupon, as they are intended for use with new accounts. You are welcome to give the coupon to a family member or friend.

BRRISK uses is a validated algorithm (BOADICEA) developed by the University of Cambridge, Department of Public and Primary Care to calculate the risk of breast cancer.

BOADICEA is the first comprehensive model that allows for reliable breast cancer risk prediction in unaffected people. It draws on mutation screening information for rare (high risk and moderate risk) breast cancer genetic susceptibility variants, explicit family history, personal lifestyle, hormonal and reproductive risk factors, and mammographic density.

Understanding your own level of risk allows you to be properly monitored for breast cancer.

The results of BRRISK will assist your GP with the recommendations they make, whether this is additional surveillance, referral to a specialist or genetic assessment.

• Understanding risk ensures you are properly monitored for breast cancer
• It’s interesting to observe your level of risk and see how it changes over time
• Your BRRISK report will provide information to support healthcare conversations about breast cancer risk
• Your GP will receive a report that includes recommendations based on international guidelines
• Your personal data is saved in a secure environment in New Zealand and protected by New Zealand’s privacy laws
• You can access and update your data anytime

View our terms and conditions

View our privacy policy

Sorry, but your health history makes BRRISK unsuitable for you. BRRISK is designed for women who haven’t had a mastectomy.

Sorry, but your health history makes BRRISK unsuitable for you. BRRISK is designed for women who haven’t had a breast cancer diagnosis.

Sorry, but your health history makes BRRISK unsuitable for you. BRRISK is designed for women who haven’t had an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Sorry, but your health history makes BRRISK unsuitable for you. BRRISK is designed for women who haven’t had a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Sorry, but your health history makes BRRISK unsuitable for you. BRRISK is designed for women who haven’t had a DCIS diagnosis.

Breast cancer is taken to mean invasive breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) should ‘not’ be included in BRRISK risk calculations as the BOADICEA algorithm was not developed for in-situ cancers.

Example 1: If a family member is diagnosed with DCIS and at a later date diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, only the invasive cancer result is entered into BRRISK. This is entered as the first breast cancer, not as contralateral. 

Example 2: If a family member is diagnosed at the same time with DCIS and invasive breast cancer, only the invasive breast cancer is entered into BRRISK. This is entered as the first breast cancer, not as contralateral. 

Ovarian cancer means invasive epithelial cancer. Non-epithelial tumours (e.g. germ cell tumours ) and borderline tumours should be excluded. Ovarian cancer is usually taken to include cancers of the fallopian tube and may include the peritoneum.

It is important to promptly report any changes in your breasts to your doctor, such as:

• a new lump or lumpiness, especially if it is only in one breast
• fluid coming from the nipple
• a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple
• a change in the skin over the breast, such as redness or dimpling
• an unusual persistent pain, especially if it is in one breast

Teach your hands what to look for

Population risk means you are at the same level of breast cancer risk as most other women in New Zealand. View risk factors.

Even at this level, following the advice of your GP is important.

View information on breast health.

Moderate risk means you have a higher risk of breast cancer compared with the majority of women in New Zealand.

While your risk assessment report will have been sent to your GP, we recommend being proactive by making an appointment to discuss your options.

High risk means you have a high risk of breast cancer risk, compared with the majority of women in New Zealand.

While your risk assessment report will have been sent to your GP, we recommend being proactive by making an appointment to discuss your options.

There are two types of genetic test.

• Gene/panel test
• Mutation test

A gene/panel test is where one or more genes are tested to see if there is an irregularity (mutation) in the genes that may increase your risk of cancer

A mutation test is when a gene is tested for a known irregularity that has been found in one of your blood relatives.

Once you have joined BRRISK, you can book an appointment with a BRRISK navigator to discuss pathology results. A small fee is charged during booking.

During surgery, a tumour is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing.

Three tests are routinely performed, a fourth test is optional;

• Estrogen receptor (ER)
• Progesterone receptor (PR)
• Herceptin receptor status (HER2)
• Cytokeratin 14 and 5/6 (optional)

The pathology report for you or a family member should indicate the type of test and whether the associated result was positive or negative.

Further details can be found on the Breast Cancer Foundation website. View Understanding your pathology report.

Once you have joined BRRISK, you can book an appointment with a BRRISK navigator to discuss pathology results. A small fee is charged during booking.

Genetic tests typically yield a negative or positive result.

In some instances, a ’variant of uncertain significance’ (VUS) result is recorded. This means an irregularity has been found in a gene, but there is not enough scientific data to properly classify whether this is positive (pathogenic) or negative (benign).

A VUS result should be entered into BRRISK as a negative result.

As more data is gathered, this mutation may be reclassified as positive (pathogenic) or negative (benign). It is important to maintain contact with your genetic test provider, so they can advise if the VUS result has been reclassified.

Once you have joined BRRISK, you can book an appointment with a BRRISK navigator to discuss genetic test results. A small fee is charged during booking.

BRRISK assumes that family members are observed only up to age 80, owing to a lack of reliable data beyond age 80. As a result, cancer diagnoses that occur at or over the age of 80 are not included in the breast risk calculations. So, individuals who get a cancer diagnosis after the age of 80 are assumed to be unaffected at age 80.

1. Will BRRISK include cancer diagnosis for family members who are 80 years old?
2. Will all cancer diagnoses be include in BRRISK?
3. Age of cancer diagnosis
4. One of my family members is over 80 years old. What happens to their cancer diagnosis?
5. What is the upper limit on age of cancer diagnosis?

Women who have dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women with less dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue also makes it harder for cancer to be detected.

On mammograms, dense breast tissue looks white. Breast masses or tumours also look white, so the dense tissue can hide tumours.

The BI-RADS is an acronym for the Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System score. It’s a scoring system radiologists use to describe mammogram results and breast density classification.

a (or 1) Breasts are made up of mostly fat with little fibrous and glandular tissue. A mammogram of breasts with a lower density can more easily show abnormal findings.

b (or 2) Breasts have a lot of fat with few areas of glandular and fibrous tissue.

c (or 3) Breasts have an even distribution of fibrous and glandular tissue. This can make it difficult to detect small abnormalities.

d (or 4) Breasts have mostly fibrous and glandular tissues, making it difficult to detect cancer. Abnormalities are more likely to blend in with normal breast tissue.

Classification changed from 1, 2, 3, 4 to a, b, c, d in the latest edition of BI-RADS