Women's Health

Breast Care

The Highland Breast Imaging Center
Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction Program

Take action… To make an appointment or for more information, call 585-487-3300 or fax 585-334-5519.

Many women are concerned about their personal risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. Most women are aware that there are risk factors that contribute to breast cancer including a family history of breast cancer, previous breast biopsies, early onset of periods, or delaying childbearing until after the age of 30. However, most women overestimate their personal risk of breast cancer leading to unnecessary anxiety.

The Highland Breast Imaging Center is the only facility in the area to offer a Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction Program for women who may have an elevated probability of getting breast cancer. We have a team of doctors and nurses who are committed to helping you beat breast cancer.

Goals

The goals of this unique program are to:

• Identify women at high risk
• Reassure women who are not at high-risk but fear they may be
• Work with high-risk women to prevent the disease rather than waiting to treat it
• Back up proactive prevention strategies with early detection strategies
• Empower women and their families

• A thorough physical examination and one-to-one training in breast self-examination
• An in-depth evaluation of your risk factors for breast cancer including:
  • Heredity–both race and family history
  • Environmental factors
  • Lifestyle factors
  • Reproductive history
  • Previous breast disorders
• Diagnostic testing
• Genetic counseling and testing when indicated
• A personal assessment profile based on sophisticated mathematical modeling
• Education, counseling and recommendations that make sense for you on:
  • Specialized screening and early detection strategies
  • Lifestyle options
  • Therapeutic options including participation in clinical trials
  • Assessment for children or other relatives who might also have an increased chance of developing cancer
  • Emotional issues surrounding cancer and risk
• A seamless link to services such as medical and surgical consultations and psychological support
  

Getting Started

• Prior to your appointment, you will be asked a series of questions about your family history and medical background. This will help us determine your individual risk for developing breast cancer. You may be asked to have results of recent tests, such as mammograms or pathology reports, sent to our office for our review in advance of your appointment.
• We will review this information and calculate an estimated five-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The risk calculation will be discussed with you during your appointment. We will also share a comparison calculation for women of the same age and race with no adverse risk factors.
• When you arrive for your appointment, you will meet with a physician for a complete history and physical examination, followed by a discussion of your personal risk assessment.
• When your personal breast cancer risks have been outlined, our clinicians will help you determine what prevention methods would be best for you.

Reduce Your Risk

Providing women with an accurate estimate of their risk often helps alleviate anxiety. For women who are found to have a substantial increased risk of breast cancer there are options available to them to reduce this risk. These options include utilizing the medication Tamoxifen or participating in a study comparing Tamoxifen with a similar medication Raloxifene. If you are identified as having an increased risk of breast cancer compared to the average woman, our breast specialists can help guide you in what the most appropriate follow-up and surveillance should be for your individual case.

In addition, ductal lavage may be recommended to help define your personal risk. Ductal lavage is an office-based procedure that gently obtains a sample of fluid from the milk ducts for our pathologists to evaluate. The procedure is not designed to screen for breast cancer, however, the finding of abnormal cells on duct lavage may indicate a higher future risk of breast cancer. This information may help you decide what approach to take in lowering your risk.

Our Team

Marsha Gross, NP, MS
Nurse Practitioner

Kelly Kita
Coordinator, STAR Study
Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene

Starlene Loader, RN
Genetic Counselor

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