High Risk Evaluation Clinic for Breast Cancer

Beaumont Hospitals is helping patients get one step ahead of breast cancer through innovative services that help identify women at high risk. The clinic offers rapid response service for women with risk factors and has programs to oversee cancer research and clinical trials. Our staff also counsels women on ways to reduce risk for breast cancer.

The average lifetime risk of breast cancer in an American woman is one in seven. The likelihood increases in women who have certain uncontrollable risk factors. These include the following:

• Two or more relatives (same side of family) diagnosed with breast cancer at any age
• One relative diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 or ovarian cancer at any age
• A male relative with breast cancer
• Any family history of breast or ovarian cancer and of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
• A personal history of breast cancer, atypia or lobular carcinoma in situ
• A personal history of prior chest radiation
• Known or suspected to carry the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene mutations

If you have any of these risk factors, you may need more than an annual mammogram or clinical breast exam. The High Risk Clinic will work with you to determine your risk level and counsel you on the best way to ensure your long-term health.

The services at the Beaumont High Risk Clinic are designed to be convenient and are customized for each patient, offering many advantages over other breast centers:

• Personalized care – On the first phone call, a nurse will determine your testing and screening needs.
• For radiology, same-day testing – When possible, all tests and consultations are done on the same day, same location. Some patients may require further testing and visits.
• For radiology, less worry – While awaiting same-day testing results, you’ll meet with a board-certified breast specialist to discuss ways to reduce your risks.
• Improved precision – Our fellowship-trained breast radiologists read the breast MRI and mammogram at the same time, for greater precision over separate reads.
• Advanced technology – Diagnostic MRI and mammography technology are the most advanced, giving you results you can trust.
• Surgical options – Should you need surgery, you’ll have access to the latest options.

After a first visit, most patients receive long-term follow-up services. Patients are seen once or twice a year for a personalized surveillance program, based on individual risk factors. A multidisciplinary team manages patient care and will make recommendations for you that may include:

• Instructions in breast health and a clinical breast examination every six to 12 months
• Referral for further diagnostic testing such as annual mammography, annual breast MRI, breast ultrasound, and minimally invasive breast biopsy
• Referrals to appropriate services, such as behavioral medicine, fitness coaching, stress reduction, integrative medicine , nutrition counseling, gynecology and plastic surgery
• Access to breast cancer prevention clinical trials.

If you have some of the risk factors listed earlier, many insurance companies will cover some or all of the services offered at the Center. When you are scheduled for each procedure, you may request information about insurance coverage and your financial responsibility.

You may want to first discuss your interest in the Center with your primary care physician, gynecologist, oncologist or surgeon.