High Risk Assessment for Breast & Ovarian Cancer
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer have a hereditary form of the disease, according to the National Action Plan of Breast Cancer. Since the vast majority of breast cancer cases are not due to inherited alterations in the genes, most women would not benefit from a high-risk surveillance program nor genetic counseling and testing.
But for those with family or personal histories, Victory Breast Diagnostics and Women’s Imaging can help patients become more educated about their future options and their family by considering the breast cancer risk assessment program.
Because of the increased surveillance of high-risk patients, breast cancers may be detected at stages more favorable to treatment, and patients at high risk may have decreased anxiety about breast cancer.
If assessment reveals a worrisome level of risk, patients may wish to increase their breast cancer surveillance efforts above conventional standards. That includes more frequent clinical breast exams, mammograms and ultrasounds.
In particular, mammograms alone may not be as useful for persons with a dense breast tissue pattern. MRI and ultrasound are two tools that the high-risk protocol aims to incorporate in order to improve the current standards of breast cancer screening for high-risk women.
The process includes; an interview with a physician and /or health care professional that focuses on family and personal history; filling out a family history of cancer form; an exam and mammography review; and placement in the protocol, or surveillance, program for the frequency of tests.
Women at increased risk of breast cancer may wish to enter a program of clinical breast exams every six months correlated with mammography every 12 months; and ultrasound at 12 months; and MRI at 12 or 24 months.
After undergoing a risk assessment evaluation by our office, appropriate patients will be offered genetic testing of the BRCA 1 / BRCA 2 genes, which are associated with hereditary breast cancer syndrome. In addition to the assessment, patient education, informed consent, blood draws and results disclosure will be available.
Those who may benefit from genetic testing are:
- Women 50 years old or younger who are diagnosed with breast cancer, or a family history of breast cancer before age 50
- Personal or family history of ovarian cancer (at any age)
- Personal or family history of male breast cancer
- Personal or family history of bilateral breast cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish background with personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Click here for a Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patient Video
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