Prevention, Risk and Screening »Risk Assessment at Fox Chase »Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Supporting Those at Increased Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancers

Our goal is to help you learn about the risk factors associated with breast and ovarian cancer. The Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program. The program gives participants up-to-date information on the familial patterns of these cancers and on how pregnancy history, benign breast biopsy, diet and other risk factors may be related to breast or ovarian cancer. As a participant, you'll also learn about screening guidelines and prevention options available to you.

The program offers you the following risk assessment and prevention services:

Comprehensive Education Session

Your participation in the program begins with a comprehensive education session about your breast or ovarian cancer risk. The cancer-risk counselor will discuss and provide information on:

• Risk factors for these cancers
• Benefits and limitations of currently available screening methods
• Ways to reduce your chance of getting cancer
• Cancer patterns in families
• Family Risk Assessment Program Study Opportunities [PDF]
  (This link requires Adobe® Acrobat Reader to view.)
• Genetic testing

Individual Cancer-Risk Counseling

Having a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer can increase a woman's risk of developing these cancers. We know that at least 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancers are due to genetic factors that are passed on from one generation to the next. Personal and medical risk factors can also contribute to cancer risk.

Your cancer-risk counseling will be tailored just for you based on your individual risk profile. We give you a detailed evaluation of your family history to help explain what role genetic factors may play in your own risk. Your comprehensive risk assessment will also include discussion about your personal medical history, environmental issues and other factors. The counselor will explain ongoing research to identify genes for breast and ovarian cancer and how you and your family members may participate if eligible for these studies.

Tests are available for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (Breast Cancer genes 1 and 2). When altered, these genes may increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. The cancer-risk counselor will discuss whether genetic testing could benefit you. In addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2, other cancer-related genes are discussed if appropriate.

Opportunity to Participate in Research Studies

Eligible individuals receive the opportunity to participate in a variety of clinical trials and research studies, such as studies examining new screening methods, communicating cancer risk information to family members and chemoprevention. Chemoprevention trials are studies that test whether taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals or food supplements can prevent cancer.

Research opportunities may be presented to you during your initial phone contact, at the cancer-risk counseling session or throughout your involvement in the program.

Learn more about current clinical research studies offered through the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program. PDF
(This link requires Adobe® Acrobat Reader to view.)

Medical Evaluation and Follow-Up

As a participant in the Dyson program, you have the option of medical evaluation in our Prevention Pavilion clinic for those at increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

The program's clinical component includes a comprehensive cancer-risk evaluation of your personal and family medical history along with a physical evaluation. Both you and your referring physician will receive information about different screening options available to women at increased risk, appropriate follow-up schedules and screening recommendations.

Your physical evaluation will focus on breast and/or ovarian cancer based on your individual risk:

High-Risk Breast Evaluation
• Clinical breast examination by a trained clinician
• Mammogram at Fox Chase Cancer Center or review of mammography films done elsewhere
• Breast self-exam instruction using the MammaCare? method
• Skin check
• Consultation about personal risk factors as they relate to breast cancer (for example, having had a biopsy showing benign breast disease)
• Consultation about possible preventive strategies such as chemoprevention and diet
• Eligibility for enrolling in current screening trials
• Eligibility for enrolling in current prevention trials

High-Risk Ovarian Evaluation
• Pelvic examination by a trained clinician
• Transvaginal ultrasound at Fox Chase Cancer Center or review of ultrasound films done elsewhere
• CA-125 blood test (Increased levels of CA-125 may be a sign of cancer.)
• Skin check
• Consultation about personal risk factors as they relate to ovarian cancer
• Consultation about possible preventive strategies (for example, hormone use, oral contraceptives and chemoprevention)

The medical evaluation is a service that is billed to your health insurance provider. This service is available to those who meet program eligibility requirements.

You may continue with regular follow-up evaluations at Fox Chase, if appropriate. The frequency of these visits is determined by your age and other factors. If, at any point, cancer is detected, you will be referred to appropriate physicians for further evaluation.

Who is eligible for the program?

Individuals with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, women with a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, or women who have had benign breast disease diagnosed by biopsy are eligible for the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program.

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Those with a family history must have one first-degree or second-degree relative with breast and/or ovarian cancer on either side of the family. This includes your mother, sister, child, grandmother or aunt. You may also be eligible if there is a history of male breast cancer in your family.

For more information about the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, call the program coordinator at
1-800-325-4145 or 215-728-2795.

For more information about breast cancer treatment and prevention at Fox Chase Cancer Center or to make an appointment, call 1-888-FOX CHASE (1-888-369-2427). The breast cancer scheduling department can be reached at 215-728-3001.

« Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program