Recommended Citation
Sawyer L, Matre M, Kelly K, Sullivan-Vedder L. Increasing Utilization of the Tyrer-Cuzick Score to Improve Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Primary Care. Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
The Tyrer-Cuzick (T-C) score is a risk prediction tool used to provide a quantitative estimate of an individual's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and can be used to guide screening practices. A high score may lead to recommendations for earlier breast imaging, lifestyle modifications, genetic testing, risk reducing medications or surgery. Given updated recommendations by professional organizations such as the American Academy of Breast Surgeons, Advocate Health developed Primary Care and Radiology workflow processes to attempt to standardize breast cancer risk assessment. Since initiating this workflow in July 2023, there has been a disproportionate number of patients screened by Radiology compared to Primary Care. Since Primary Care clinicians see patients prior to the start of routine mammogram screening at age 40, there is an opportunity to begin breast cancer risk assessment at much earlier ages. Currently, the Aurora Family Medicine Residency Program is under-utilizing the T-C score because of a lack of knowledge of the score and formal policy regarding breast cancer risk assessment.
Purpose:
This project was conducted to improve the systematic process our clinics utilize to assess patients’ breast cancer risk.
Methods:
A pre-survey was distributed to residents and faculty to assess baseline usage and knowledge of the T-C Score with 72.5% of responses demonstrating poor understanding and utilization of the T-C score, indicating a need for intervention. Following survey distribution, an education session was held at a Resident Faculty Meeting, and a summary of the session was emailed to our program. T-C score completion data was continuously collected with monthly updates sent to residents and faculty.
Results:
Prior to our intervention, a total of 100 patients had been screened at our Family Medicine residency clinics from 07/2024-07/2025. After our intervention, a total of 323 patients had been screened from 08/2025-02/2026. The number of patients screened tripled in a 6-month period after our intervention. We anticipate that our screening rate will continue to improve over time.
Conclusion:
As a result of this intervention, Primary Care has been better able to perform breast cancer risk assessments, which will positively impact patients’ ability to receive appropriate care sooner for their designated breast cancer risk stratification category.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Full Text of Presentation
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Document Type
Poster
Open Access
Available to all.
Increasing Utilization of the Tyrer-Cuzick Score to Improve Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Primary Care
Background/Significance:
The Tyrer-Cuzick (T-C) score is a risk prediction tool used to provide a quantitative estimate of an individual's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and can be used to guide screening practices. A high score may lead to recommendations for earlier breast imaging, lifestyle modifications, genetic testing, risk reducing medications or surgery. Given updated recommendations by professional organizations such as the American Academy of Breast Surgeons, Advocate Health developed Primary Care and Radiology workflow processes to attempt to standardize breast cancer risk assessment. Since initiating this workflow in July 2023, there has been a disproportionate number of patients screened by Radiology compared to Primary Care. Since Primary Care clinicians see patients prior to the start of routine mammogram screening at age 40, there is an opportunity to begin breast cancer risk assessment at much earlier ages. Currently, the Aurora Family Medicine Residency Program is under-utilizing the T-C score because of a lack of knowledge of the score and formal policy regarding breast cancer risk assessment.
Purpose:
This project was conducted to improve the systematic process our clinics utilize to assess patients’ breast cancer risk.
Methods:
A pre-survey was distributed to residents and faculty to assess baseline usage and knowledge of the T-C Score with 72.5% of responses demonstrating poor understanding and utilization of the T-C score, indicating a need for intervention. Following survey distribution, an education session was held at a Resident Faculty Meeting, and a summary of the session was emailed to our program. T-C score completion data was continuously collected with monthly updates sent to residents and faculty.
Results:
Prior to our intervention, a total of 100 patients had been screened at our Family Medicine residency clinics from 07/2024-07/2025. After our intervention, a total of 323 patients had been screened from 08/2025-02/2026. The number of patients screened tripled in a 6-month period after our intervention. We anticipate that our screening rate will continue to improve over time.
Conclusion:
As a result of this intervention, Primary Care has been better able to perform breast cancer risk assessments, which will positively impact patients’ ability to receive appropriate care sooner for their designated breast cancer risk stratification category.
Affiliations
Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Wiselives Center