Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program provides breast cancer risk assessments, personalized breast cancer screening recommendations and prevention strategies to individuals at increased risk of having breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

If you are concerned about your risk of developing breast cancer, our Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Program offers evaluation by one of our breast specialists to determine your estimated risk of developing breast cancer. This evaluation may include:

• A detailed history of personal risk factors and family history.
• Use of a breast cancer risk assessment tool, such as the Gail or Tyrer-Cuzick models.
• A clinical breast exam.
• A referral to Genetic Counseling and, if needed, genetic testing.

Who Should Consider a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment?

• Women with a family history of breast cancer, especially in multiple relatives under the age of 50.
• Women with a family history of ovarian cancer.
• Women who have abnormal breast biopsies showing atypical cells or Lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS).
• Individuals with an inherited pathogenic variant (mutation) in a gene associated with increased breast cancer risk, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Early Detection and Prevention Program for High-Risk Individuals

Our breast experts will work with high-risk individuals to create a personalized risk management plan. Plans might include:

• Additional screening with breast MRI, contrast-enhanced mammograms, or ultrasound for early detection of breast cancer.
• Use of risk-reducing medications such as Tamoxifen or Raloxifene.
• Risk-reducing surgeries such as mastectomy and oophorectomy. 

Your Care Team

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program is staffed by a team of clinicians specializing in breast cancer risk management to provide individualized recommendations for women at increased risk of having breast cancer.

In addition to our UPMC Magee-Womens team, we work in collaboration with other providers such as genetic counselors, breast oncologists, breast surgeons, and radiologists from UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to facilitate care.

For more information about the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Program, or to schedule an appointment, call 412-623-3425.