Breast and ovarian cancer prevention

• Information about hereditary (passed down in your family) and nonhereditary breast or gynecological cancer risk factors 
• Ways to lower your breast or gynecological cancer risk
• Information about clinical trials you are eligible to be part of through SCCA and our partners at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington Medical Center 
• A letter with a detailed summary of your visit

Your BOCP multidisciplinary team will work with you to customize a plan that may include:

• Blood tests
• Chemoprevention or medication
• Imaging, like mammograms, ultrasounds or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and exercise
• Participating in clinical trials, if you choose
• Risk-reducing surgery
• Screening with physical exams

Family history and genetic testing both provide important clues about your risk level. You may be at high risk of developing breast or gynecological cancer if:

• You had an abnormal result on your genetic test, such as testing positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant
• You have Lynch syndrome or another genetic abnormality linked with breast cancer, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer
• Two or more relatives on the same side of your family have had breast or ovarian cancer, especially if the breast cancer was diagnosed before age 40
• A relative had cancer in both breasts
• A relative had both breast and ovarian cancer
• Male relatives have had breast cancer

Genetic counseling is the process of providing education and emotional support to patients about inherited conditions and how they impact a person and their family. The goal of genetic counseling is to provide clear, useful information about genetic risk factors in a way that helps you learn more and make decisions about cancer treatment, prevention or early detection.

If you have a genetic risk for a breast or gynecological cancer, more frequent screening and surveillance will allow your physicians and care providers to find any abnormalities in their early stages, when they can be more easily treated. And, for some patients at risk of breast or gynecological cancer, risk reduction surgery can reduce their risk by a lot. 

If you do develop a type of breast or ovarian cancer, knowing your genetic test results can lead to more effective, precise treatments, which can mean better outcomes for you.

These health care professionals work closely with your physician. There are two types: physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They help provide and coordinate your treatment and can see you without your physician. They also help manage any effects of your disease and treatment.

If a physician discovers an abnormality in a patient’s breast, they may refer them to a physician known as a breast health specialist. The breast health specialist will do more tests to find out whether the abnormality is cancerous or noncancerous. A breast health specialist may also work in breast cancer prevention and develop plans for reducing risk.

If a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, they may be seen by a breast medical oncologist. This specialist will decide what types of medicine-based treatments might help the patient, such as chemotherapy or endocrine therapy to treat a hormone-related cancer. Medical oncologists can also prescribe medicine to help prevent cancer from spreading, slow its growth and reduce symptoms related to cancer.

This specially trained health care provider helps you understand your risk of a genetic disorder. A genetic counselor can also determine if genetic testing could be helpful for you, based on your personal and family medical and health history. After you have had genetic testing, a genetic counselor can offer information and resources for prevention; connect you with prevention programs, such as those available at SCCA; and help with testing your family members, based on your results. SCCA Genetic Counseling Service providers are all licensed, board-certified genetic counselors.

If a patient is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, is suspected to have a gynecologic cancer or is at higher risk of gynecologic cancer, they may be seen by a gynecologic oncologist. Gynecologic oncologists provide complete surgical and medical care, including chemotherapy if needed. Some examples of conditions treated by gynecologic oncologists are ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, advanced gynecologic surgery and inherited risk of cancer.

The patient care coordinator will likely be one of the first people you meet when you come to SCCA. They will gather your medical records and family health history and help guide you to the appropriate genetics or prevention care services within SCCA.

Registered dietitians are credentialed food and nutrition experts. To earn this title, they must go through a lot of training and formal education, including doing an internship and passing a national registration exam. Registered dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy, which means they use an evidence-based approach to treat and help patients manage medical conditions through diet and nutrition.

Your nurse manages your care alongside your physician. They also assist with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They answer questions and help with a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at SCCA.

SCCA social workers are professionals who are trained to offer support to patients who have received a cancer diagnosis, are going through cancer treatment or are in recovery. They also work with people who are at high risk for cancer. Oncology social workers are key team members who have the knowledge and resources to help connect you with the right resources, such as psychiatry and psychology services, to support you through preventive care or treatment.