What to Expect During Your Visit

What to Expect During Your Visit

In the Northwestern Medicine Breast Risk Assessment and Prevention Program, our certified breast experts may:

• Review your personal and family health history
• Perform clinical breast exams
• Create a personalized risk assessment profile with risk-reduction strategies tailored to your unique needs, including:
• Advanced or supplemental screening recommendations, such as:
• Increased frequency of mammograms
• 3D tomosynthesis
• Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS)
• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Genetic testing to identify gene alterations that increase cancer risk
• Medications to reduce risk
• Consultation regarding surgical options, such as prophylactic mastectomy
• Offer patient education on how to properly check breasts for changes
• Offer lifestyle support for modifiable risk factors, such as diet, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use
• Provide social work and emotional support services for coping with the psychological impact and stress of being at high risk for breast cancer

The Breast Risk Assessment and Prevention Program is designed for people who have any of the following:

• Multiple close family members with breast and/or ovarian cancer
• A breast biopsy with pathology showing atypical cells or lobular carcinoma in situ
• A known genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer
• History of chest radiation therapy