High Risk Breast Clinic

For most women, getting annual mammograms starting at age 40 years is one of the best ways to fight breast cancer. However, some women are at high risk based on a personal or family history of cancer or positive genetic test results. For these high-risk women, additional screening and prevention strategies may be needed.

By combining expert genetic risk assessment, state-of-the-art breast imaging and access to comprehensive cancer prevention and treatment, our High Risk Breast Clinic is one-of-a-kind in the greater Richmond area. The High Risk Breast Clinic is offered at both our Stony Point and downtown locations.

Who could benefit from the High Risk Breast Clinic?

Women and their close family members with any of the following could benefit from the High Risk Breast Clinic:

• Breast cancer at a young age (under 40 years)
• More than two family members with breast cancer on the same side of the family
• A family history of breast and ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer
• A male relative with breast cancer
• Women with Jewish ancestry and even one case of breast or ovarian cancer in themselves or close family members
• Persons who have been told they should consider genetic testing for breast cancer risk
• Persons who are worried about their risk for breast cancer based on their family histories or genetic background

What happens at the High Risk Breast Clinic?

There are three types of information that can help us determine your genetic risk for breast cancer:

• Your personal health history
• Your family history, especially of cancer
• Genetic testing, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2

During your appointment at the High Risk Breast Clinic, the Genetic Counselor will ask you questions about your personal and family histories of cancer and other related health concerns, as well as any genetic testing you or other family members may have had.

From this information we hope to provide you with:

• Your risk for breast cancer and other related health concerns
• What genetic testing might be helpful and how likely you are to test positive
• Comprehensive informed consent for genetic testing when it is indicated
• Interpretation of genetic test results, usually in a follow-up visit
• Personalized recommendations for breast cancer prevention and screening, including streamlined access to appropriate breast imaging such as mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI

How are we different?

Our clinic is the only high risk clinic in the Richmond metropolitan area that includes:

• Genetic counselors with certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling
• A decade of experience offering dedicated cancer genetic counseling services
• A Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designated by the American College of Radiology
• Interdisciplinary cancer and prevention care
• Integration with an academic medical center and a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

 Perfect experience. Very professional.

–VCU Breast Imaging patient