Ridley-Tree Cancer Center (now part of Sutter Health) has opened its High-Risk Breast Clinic, dedicated to monitoring women at elevated risk for breast cancer, and offering comprehensive assessments, individualized risk profiles, and personalized recommendations for prevention and early detection.
“We are proud to be a community leader in breast cancer prevention, care and treatment and this High-Risk Breast Clinic is an extension of that,” said Dr. Kurt Ransohoff, President, Sutter Health, Greater Central Coast.
“Our goal is to empower patients with knowledge, prevention strategies and access to cutting-edge care,” he said. “We are hopeful that this collaboration and innovation will result in better outcomes for our patients, a reduction in their cancer risk and compassionate, and seamless, patient-centered care for those who need it.”
Members of the High-Risk Breast Clinic include: High-Risk Breast Clinic Director and Ridley-Tree Cancer Center breast surgeon Dr.Rosa Choi; physician assistant Siren Sechslingloff; Ridley-Tree Cancer Center breast surgeon Dr. Katrina Mitchell; Sansum Clinic breast radiologist Dr. Winifred Leung.
The High-Risk Breast Clinic team will collaborate with breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, OB/Gyns, primary care clinicians, genetic counselors, researchers and patient navigators across Sutter Health’s Central Coast footprint to offer patients integrated, coordinated care.
Anyone in the community may qualify for an appointment with the High-Risk Breast Clinic if they have a referral from their primary care clinician, and they meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible patients can schedule an appointment with Sechslingloff to learn more about their individual risk factors and explore strategies to reduce that risk.
Eligibility criteria include individuals who:
• Had a breast biopsy with pathology that shows atypical cells or lobular carcinoma in situ. Note: Patients diagnosed with new high-risk lesions following a breast biopsy through Sansum Clinic (now part of Sutter Health), are already triaged directly to a surgeon from radiology.
• Have a history of radiation to the chest wall between the ages of 10-30 years.
• Have a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) under the age of 50 with a breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer diagnosis.
• Have a male family member with breast cancer.
• Have multiple family members with breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer.
• Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with a family history of breast cancer.
• Have a known genetic mutation predisposing them to breast cancer development.
These factors do not automatically place women into a high-risk category, but they may indicate when a formal breast cancer assessment is needed, according to Ridley-Tree Cancer Center said.
Those with a history of breast cancer in their immediate family are at higher risk for developing the disease themselves, the center said.
Patients who meet the criteria and wish to schedule an appointment should ask their primary care clinician for a referral.
Sechslingloff, who is breast oncology certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, will perform a risk assessment for each patient, and will offer tailored recommendations for breast screening, genetic testing, lifestyle changes, and medicines then can lower breast cancer risk.
Should immediate medical attention be required, she can also connect patients to breast cancer specialists at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center.
“Women of average risk have a 13% chance of getting diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Women are considered at high risk if they have a 20% or higher lifetime risk of developing the disease,” said Sechslingloff.
“I look forward to welcoming women to our clinic, and helping them better understand their risk level so they can make the most informed decisions about their health,” she said.
“We can effectively cure 98% of breast cancer found in its beginning stages, so the sooner we can find it, the better,” said Dr. Choi.
The High-Risk Breast Clinic will create a breast screening schedule for patients designed for their level of risk.
“Women who are identified as high risk may need to go from receiving an annual mammogram, which we recommend for women starting at age 40, to needing a breast ultrasound, or an alternating schedule of mammograms and breast MRIs,” Leung said.
“This clinic will set the stage for these important conversations with patients about screening, so we can get ahead of breast cancer,” Leung said.
Patients will have access to Sansum Clinic’s Breast Imaging Center of Excellence which offers 3D mammography (Tomosynthesis), diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whole breast ultrasound and breast ultrasound.