High Risk Care
Clinic Evaluates Patients with Higher Breast, Ovarian Cancer Risk
Genetic predisposition will be a factor in 5 percent to 10 percent of the more than 230,000 cases of breast and ovarian cancer diagnosed in American women this year. The University of Virginia Health System's new High Risk Care clinic offers physicians and their patients a comprehensive clinic to assess inherited risk for breast and ovarian cancers and a full spectrum of services to proactively manage the long-term health of these women - from enhanced diagnostics to counseling to specialized surgery.
"The High Risk Care clinic is a unique service offered only at UVa. No other facility in Central Virginia offers multidisciplinary management for high-risk breast and ovarian patients," says David Brenin, M.D., the clinic's co-director. "We're seeking to minimize their risk."
Assessing Risk
The first step is assessing patients' five-year and lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancer using the Gail model, an epidemiological risk assessment tool. In select cases, patients may also access UVa's genetic counselors for full genetic testing to determine if they have certain gene mutations that increase their cancer risk, says Susan Modesitt, M.D., the clinic's co-director.
Tailored Approaches
For patients at lower risk - or who prefer a less aggressive treatment regimen - the clinic provides continued close observation and enhanced diagnostic tools such as a screening breast MRI, digital mammography or transvaginal ultrasound. For patients with a very high risk of breast or ovarian cancer, the clinic also offers chemoprevention, as well as prophylactic surgery procedures that include mastectomies and oophorectomies.
Working with You
The clinic works closely with referring physicians to keep them informed about their patients' treatment, Brenin says, updating them following each patient visit and sending them a summary letter that includes a treatment plan. UVa can either direct follow-up care - with the help of a nurse navigator to coordinate each patient's care - or send a patient to their primary care physician, Modesitt says.
To refer a patient to UVa's High Risk Care clinic, call UVa Physician Direct at 800-552-3723.