Breast Cancer High Risk Program

The goal of The Breast Cancer High Risk Program is to identify women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, and to offer personalized care for these women.  We strive to provide current and relevant information about risk management.  The program provides individualized risk-assessment and high-risk cancer surveillance as well as breast cancer prevention services.

This program is designed for women with significant risk factors for developing breast cancer
including:

• History of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) diagnosed by breast biopsy
• Known genetic predisposition to breast cancer, such as carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• History of radiation therapy to the chest
• Strong family history of breast cancer
• Women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
• History of multiple breast biopsies

Women may be referred by another physician or may self-refer. We ask you to check your medical insurance to see if you qualify for this benefit.

Risk Consult

Initial consultation for high-risk patients includes a detailed review of a patient's relevant history, a thorough clinical breast examination performed by a physician specializing in breast disease, and a review of previous radiographic screening studies.  The physician will provide counseling regarding a woman's risk of developing breast cancer and discuss current concepts in early breast cancer detection, as well as breast-cancer prevention.  Genetic counselor and testing services are also incorporated if appropriate.

High Risk Surveillance

If the initial consultation reveals a patient to be at a significantly high risk of developing breast cancer, she is offered enrollment in our high-risk screening program.  This is an individualized program which combines clinical breast exams performed by one of our breast specialists, with state-of-the-art imaging studies (mammography, ultrasound, or MRI) to optimize the early detection of breast cancer.

Prevention

For those women identified as "high risk," preventive measures to reduce the future risk of breast cancer can be discussed with your physician. These include certain medications (chemo-prevention) that have been proven to decrease future risk of breast cancer in high risk individuals. In addition, some very high risk individuals may wish to discuss risk reducing surgery ("prophylactic mastectomy").

Research Activities

The Breast Care Center actively participates in research studies involving breast cancer screening and prevention.  Among other studies, the Breast Care Center was a participating site in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project's ongoing STAR (Study of Tamoxifen vs Raloxifen)

Breast Care Center patients will be informed of any relevant ongoing research in breast cancer detection and prevention.  Many of our patients volunteer to participate in clinical trials and studies. Volunteering for a study is optional, and at the discretion of the physician after a thorough discussion with the patient.  All studies are rigorously reviewed by our Internal Review Board for approval before they can begin.  Your physician knows of all studies currently underway here, and you will be asked to sign a consent form if you choose to participate.  You may cease to partiticpate at any time.