Women living with the fear of breast cancer may find peace of mind after visiting Schneck Medical Center’s new High Risk Breast Clinic. The High Risk Breast Clinic is staffed by experts in the field who provide individualized recommendations for prevention and surveillance to those at increased risk.
Women at elevated risk for breast cancer can make an appointment at the Clinic, with or without a physician’s order, and receive an individualized assessment. There they will find other important services including a clinical breast exam by a certified nurse practitioner, education about breast self-exams, screening tests, education about breast cancer risk, a personalized surveillance plan, and prevention strategies. The Clinic staff is on hand to help coordinate scheduling and pre-authorization of imaging studies. They are also ready to provide referrals to valuable resources and supplemental support, such as genetic or psychological counseling, nutrition experts, and research studies.
“Our primary goal is to assist women in learning ways to cope with their concerns about developing cancer, and help them make the best decisions about reducing their risk,” said Melanie McGlothlin, WHNP-BC, certified women’s health nurse practitioner and coordinator of the High Risk Breast Clinic.
Factors that can increase a women’s risk of developing breast cancer include her age (four out of five breast cancers diagnosed are in women over 50); family history (mother, daughter, sister had breast cancer, particularly before menopause or a father/brother with breast cancer); certain breast changes (diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ); menstrual period beginning at an early age; going through menopause at a late age; having no children, or having your first pregnancy after age 30.
Screening tests that are used to detect early-stage disease in those who show no symptoms include clinical breast exam and digital mammography.
For women with an elevated lifetime risk of breast cancer, annual screening breast MRI, in addition to an annual mammogram is recommended by the American Cancer Society.
You may want to consider a visit to Schneck’s High Risk Breast Clinic if you:
•Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20 percent or greater using
standard risk assessment models
•Have a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation
•Have a first-degree relative with a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation
•Received radiation treatment to the chest between ages 10 and 30
•Carry or have a first-degree relative with genetic mutation in the
TP53 or PTEN genes
•Family history of breast cancer
The High Risk Breast Clinic is located at the Schneck Cancer Center on the campus of Schneck Medical Center. Women may make an appointment with or without a physician order. For more information, call 812-522-0587.
