High Risk Breast Surveillance Program
Designed to help women assess and better understand their risk of breast cancer
The High-Risk Breast Surveillance Clinic at Methodist Health System specializes in monitoring and treating women at an increased risk for breast cancer. The program helps women assess and better understand their breast cancer and then take action regarding that risk.
By enrolling in the program, you will be personally, individually assessed for your risk of breast cancer and given and offer a personalized program to ascertain the likelihood you could develop breast cancer. Using a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team approach to your care, we will then create an individualized plan to closely monitor your breast health and help you make informed decisions regarding possible treatments.
Our Services
High-Risk Breast Surveillance Clinic services include:
- Breast health education
- Clinical breast exams
- Additional imaging studies
- Breast MRIs
- Genetic counseling and testing
- Preventive therapies
- Clinical trials
- Nutrition counseling
- Cessation services
- Chemoprevention
- Prophylactic surgery or surgical intervention
What Is My Risk of Breast Cancer?
The American Cancer Association recommends that most women should have their first annual mammogram at age 40.
For 70 to 80% of all breast cancer patients, they are the first ones to have it in their family history. To calculate a woman’s individual risk, we will take a thorough personal and family medical history to screen for common personal and family history risk factors for breast cancer, such as a mother or sister who had premenopausal breast cancer, she is at higher risk of breast cancer. Early detection is important, because detecting cancer in the earlier stages makes it easier to treat and gives the patient more options for what kind of treatments they can undergo.
You might be more prone to getting breast cancer if you had a first-degree relative, meaning a mother or sister who was diagnosed with premenopausal breast cancer. These women should be screened at a younger age, about 10 years younger than her mother or sister was when diagnosed with breast cancer.
Can I Participate in the High-Risk Breast Surveillance Program?
Any woman who comes to the Center for Women’s Health to undergo breast cancer screenings with mammography qualifies to be a part of the program. If you choose to participate in the High-Risk Breast Surveillance Clinic at Methodist Health System, you will undergo a comprehensive physical and family history assessment to identify your personal risk factors. Using a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team approach to your care, we will then develop an individualized plan to closely monitor your breast health and help you make informed decisions regarding possible treatments.
We have had multiple success stories from our high-risk breast surveillance program, and we’ve been able to inform many women what their risk is.