Jefferson's Risk Assessment Program

All women are at risk for developing breast cancer, just to greater or lesser degrees. Understanding your risk may help you choose ways to reduce your risk or screening options that would be best for you. 

Jefferson’s Risk Assessment program serves to offer all women an opportunity to learn more about their individual risk for developing breast cancer in their lifetime. 

Our Jefferson Breast Care Clinician collects the following information to calculate your individual risk:

• medical history
• family history
• life style information including; diet, exercise, tobacco use

At the end of a risk assessment you will have a better understanding of your individual risk for developing breast cancer in your lifetime, as well as, a plan on how to reduce your risk and the best screening options for you. 

To learn more or make an appointment, call Sue Miller-Samuel, RN, MSN, APNG at 215-955-9098.

 

Jefferson Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Program/Genetic Counseling

The majority of cancers (70-90%) are thought to be due to genetic “mutation”, or changes, which we “acquire” over our lifetime.  These acquired genetic changes are not inherited and typically occur many years after a person is born and may be related to environmental exposures such as tobacco, hormones, chemicals in our food or drink, and/or many other things both known and yet to be determined.

On the other hand, true hereditary “cancer syndromes” are rare.  When a genetic mutation is passed from either mother or father to a child at the time of conception it is known as a germline mutation and the mutation will be present in every cell of the child’s body.  These germline mutations account for only approximately 5-10% of all cancers.  The lifetime risk for individuals with these germline mutations to develop certain cancer(s) is greatly increased over that of people in the general population.  Some cancers such as breast, ovary, and/or colon appear to “cluster”, or occur often in these families.  Through genetic testing, we may or may not be able to find the reason for the unusually high rate, and/or early age of diagnosis for cancer occurrence in certain families. 

Genetic testing is always voluntary; a choice to be made by each individual.  Risk, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing should always be reviewed with a genetics professional (MD, Nurse or Counselor) prior to have genetic testing.

During genetic consultation you will receive information about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and the Jefferson clinician will determine if you may be at risk for HBOC.   You will also receive the information needed to decide if genetic testing is right for you. 

Genetic consultation is not genetic testing.

To learn more and/or to make an appointment, call Sue Miller-Samuel, RN, MSN, APNG at 215-955-9098.

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