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To make an appointment
617-724-4800
Patients are at high risk of developing
cancer if they have:
- A strong family history of the disease
- Pathologic diagnosis from prior biopsies
such as:
- atypical hyperplasia
- lobular carcinoma in situ
A strong family history of breast cancer
is defined as a family in which multiple
women have breast or ovarian cancer, breast
or ovarian cancer is observed at a young
age (such as in the 20’s or 30’s),
multiple cancers occur in a single individual
(breast cancer on both sides or breast
and ovarian cancer in a single individual),
or breast cancer in a man in the family.
If a family has any or all of these characteristics,
consultation in the Center
for Cancer Risk Analysis - Breast
& Ovarian Cancer Genetics & Risk
Assessment Program may be appropriate
to determine the level of hereditary risk
that may be present. Management often
includes a more intensive screening schedule,
initially mammography earlier, or increasing
the frequency of physical examination.
Medications such as tamoxifen are available
which may decrease the risk of breast
cancer. Where appropriate, genetic testing
may be useful to better define risk.
Women who have been diagnosed with atypical
hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ
are known to be at higher risk of breast
cancer regardless of their family history.
These patients are followed more closely
with a more intensive screening schedule
and are often advised to take tamoxifen
to help decrease their risk of breast
cancer. A woman with either a strong family
history or with atypical hyperplasia or
lobular carcinoma in situ are evaluated
to determine their level of risk and to
make management recommendations.
Surgical Oncology
Team
Specialists in the Cancer Center
that provide breast cancer risk assessment
are faculty members of Harvard Medical
School and regularly teach other physicians
in Continuing Medical Education courses.
Specialists in breast cancer risk assessment:
Kevin Hughes, MD
Paula Ryan, MD, PhD
Genetic Counselors
Devanshi Patel, MS
Kristen Mahoney Shannon, MS, CGC
Gayun Chan Smutko, MS
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