High-Risk Breast Cancer Evaluation & Surveillance
Our experts will listen to your concerns, calculate your risk level, and guide you through a personalized risk management plan.
For women in a higher risk category for developing breast cancer, additional measures beyond an annual mammogram are often recommended. Virtua offers a comprehensive evaluation and surveillance program that includes an exam with a breast specialist, a lifetime risk calculation, genetic testing, and a personalized management plan. All designed to help you understand your risk level and make informed decisions to prevent or detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Our Approach to High-Risk Breast Cancer Evaluation
With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer, understanding your risk level is essential. You may be surprised to know that a family history of cancer is only one factor that can increase your risk. Our breast care experts are committed to listening to your concerns and will customize a plan to assess and manage your personal risk level.
Am I at High Risk for Breast Cancer?
Your risk of developing breast cancer increases if you have one or more of the following:
- Extremely dense breasts
- Abnormal mammograms or biopsies
- A personal lifetime risk score of 20% or more on the Tyrer-Cuzick scale
- A genetic mutation for breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2)
- A history of long-term hormone replacement therapy
- Previous radiation therapy to the chest
- A close relative diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45
- A male relative with breast cancer
- A personal or family history of ovarian cancer
- Multiple relatives with breast or ovarian cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Virtua Breast Care Providers
Our High-Risk Breast Cancer Evaluation & Surveillance Program is led by Virtua’s experienced breast surgeons, who are part of the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, and our breast-cancer certified nurse practitioners.
What to Expect with a High-Risk Breast Cancer Evaluation
If you have one or more risk factors, we invite you to meet with one of our breast surgeons or nurse practitioners for a comprehensive assessment, including:
- A detailed individual risk assessment using the Tyrer-Cuzick calculator. Your score incorporates:
- Family history
- Reproductive history
- Breast density
- Imaging and biopsy history
- Hormone replacement therapy history
- A physical breast exam
- Genetic testing and counseling
- Recommendations for cancer risk reduction
The average breast cancer risk score is 12%. If your Tyrer-Cuzick score is 20% or above, our team will guide you through a customized breast cancer surveillance plan.
Personalized Risk Reduction
Monitoring higher risk individuals may include an annual MRI in addition to a yearly mammogram. Depending on your risk score and personal preferences, our team will also guide you through risk-reducing medications, targeted therapies, clinical trials, and preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy options. Our compassionate team is committed to supporting you through each step.
The Virtua Difference for High-Risk Breast Cancer Evaluation
Partnership with Penn Medicine
The Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program offers leading breast cancer expertise at a local level. Our breast cancer team includes plastic and reconstructive surgeons who are renowned for their skills and experience, right here in South Jersey.
Partnership with Penn Medicine
The Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program offers leading breast cancer expertise at a local level. Our breast cancer team includes plastic and reconstructive surgeons who are renowned for their skills and experience, right here in South Jersey.
Genetic testing and counseling
Mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase your risk of breast cancer. If you have one of these abnormal genes, you may benefit from targeted therapies. Our genetic counselors will guide you through genetic testing and explain how your results affect your cancer risk and treatment options.
Genetic testing and counseling
Mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase your risk of breast cancer. If you have one of these abnormal genes, you may benefit from targeted therapies. Our genetic counselors will guide you through genetic testing and explain how your results affect your cancer risk and treatment options.
Consensus-driven care
With breast cancer, you may need more than one treatment from more than one specialist. At Virtua, all of our breast cancer specialists meet weekly to discuss care plans. This collaboration includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, social workers, and research coordinators. Together, we plan treatments for patients with rare or complex types of breast cancer.
Consensus-driven care
With breast cancer, you may need more than one treatment from more than one specialist. At Virtua, all of our breast cancer specialists meet weekly to discuss care plans. This collaboration includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, social workers, and research coordinators. Together, we plan treatments for patients with rare or complex types of breast cancer.
National accreditation
Our breast center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Accredited centers like Virtua’s offer breast cancer clinical trials, nurse navigation, genetic testing and counseling, and survivorship services. The accreditation also demonstrates that Virtua meets specific safety measures for breast biopsies and breast surgery. All of this means you can have complete confidence in the care you’re receiving.
National accreditation
Our breast center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Accredited centers like Virtua’s offer breast cancer clinical trials, nurse navigation, genetic testing and counseling, and survivorship services. The accreditation also demonstrates that Virtua meets specific safety measures for breast biopsies and breast surgery. All of this means you can have complete confidence in the care you’re receiving.
Make an Appointment
Our team is dedicated to helping you reduce your breast cancer risk. If you have one or more risk factors from the list above, please contact our breast care team to schedule a high-risk evaluation. Breast Care offices are located in Moorestown, Voorhees, Haddon Heights, and Washington Township, N.J.