What initial screening should a 30-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer undergo during her exam?

The appropriate initial screening for a 30-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer would involve assessing her family history and understanding her risk factors. The Ontario Family History Assessment Tool is specifically designed to gather detailed insights into an individual's family history of cancer, which is crucial for evaluating breast cancer risk. This tool provides healthcare professionals with a structured way to obtain information on relatives with cancer, thereby assisting in establishing a risk profile for the patient.

In contrast, while BRCA screening may be relevant for determining specific genetic mutations, it is generally more appropriate after an initial assessment of risk factors, such as family history. Genetic counseling is an important subsequent step that may be recommended based on findings from initial screening tools, particularly if there is a strong suspicion of genetic predisposition. The National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is useful for estimating risk but typically follows a comprehensive assessment of family history rather than serving as the first step.