Breast and ovarian cancer prevention
The Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention (BOCP) Clinic at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is for people with a higher risk for breast cancer and/or gynecological cancers. We help patients reduce risk by making personalized prevention and early detection surveillance plans for them.
Before coming to us, patients often have genetic testing done. Then, if a genetic risk is identified, they will come to the BOCP Clinic. Or, if they have a higher risk due to significant family history of breast cancer, they will go to our Breast Health Clinic. Sometimes this pathway can change, depending on the patient.
Not sure where you should be seen? We can help. It’s our job at SCCA to find the best care for you. If you have questions, call us at (206) 606-6100.
The BOCP clinic is located at SCCA Wellness Center. Get a map, directions and other details about this location.
Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Clinic
Telehealth appointments available
We also offer telehealth (online) appointments that you can access conveniently from anywhere using your computer, smartphone or any Internet-connected mobile device. To ask if a telehealth video visit is right for you, call us at (855) 557-0555.
What happens at your first appointment
Before your visit to the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Clinic at SCCA, our experts will review your medical records, your family history of cancers and the results of any tests you may have completed elsewhere. We will also send you some questions, which you will need to answer and return to us before you schedule your first appointment.
Once we have this information, we will schedule a time to discuss your results and work with you to build your personalized prevention and early detection surveillance plan. The goal is to reduce your risk of developing cancer and to find cancer early when it can be more easily treated, if it does occur.
During this appointment, and depending on your unique risk profile, you may meet with one or more providers, such as a medical oncologist, breast health physician, gynecologic oncologist, genetic counselor or registered dietitian. The length of the visit depends on how many appointments you have, but it is usually about two hours.
Your plan will be as unique as you are. We partner closely with SCCA’s Clinical Genetics and Counseling Service. We may recommend that you get screened at an SCCA surveillance clinic. This may include visits to SCCA Wellness Clinic for routine exams and close monitoring or visits to the SCCA High Risk Surveillance Clinic. In some cases, your prevention plan can be managed by the provider who referred you to us or your primary care provider.
Care team
Our integrated approach to breast and ovarian cancer prevention brings together experts from a variety of specialties within Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA).
Find care team profiles
Meet the caring, dedicated people who take care of you and your family at SCCA.







Supportive care services

Raymond Palko is a registered dietitian who works with patients who are at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. He also works with patients with breast, renal and endocrine cancers and melanoma, as well as supporting them after treatment. Raymond sees patients at SCCA South Lake Union and SCCA Issaquah. Raymond is a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition.

Cynthia Handford has been a genetic counselor since 2007 and has worked in both clinical and laboratory settings. She has a special interest in hereditary cancer and enjoys helping patients and their families use genetic information to be proactive with their health. Cynthia is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling as well as the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.