For those concerned about their risk for breast or ovarian cancer
The Cancer Risk Evaluation Program is specifically designed for women who want information about their personal risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The program is a collaborative effort of Doylestown Hospital and the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, one of a select group of cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
For more information about CREP or to schedule an appointment with a Genetic Counselor please call 267-885-1864.
What is Your Personal Risk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer?
You may be familiar with some of the risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer, such as family history, age and reproductive history. You also may have heard about the discovery of certain genes that contribute to cancer.
Doylestown Hospital's Cancer Risk Evaluation Program can help answer questions about your personal risk, such as:
Am I at increased risk for cancer?
Is there a gene involved in my personal and/or family history of cancer?
What to Expect
Depending on your situation, you may have two or three visits with our team. Prior to your initial appointment, you will receive family history and risk questionnaires. You need to complete these forms so that we can get important information about you and arrange appointments tailored to your personal situation.
Your First Appointment
During your first appointment, you will meet with a genetic counselor who will review the information about you and your family tree. You will learn about cancer risk factors, including how genes and family history can affect your level of risk.
Between Appointments
After your first appointment, we will help you obtain any additional information needed, such as mammogram films, pathology slides or family medical records.
Our team will present your information at a multidisciplinary case conference held at the Abramson Cancer Center. This case conference includes several Penn physicians and experts in the area of cancer and cancer genetics, who will review your information, assess your risk, develop recommendations for follow-up care and determine your eligibility for further participation in any available research studies. You will be contacted to schedule your second appointment after the team completes its analysis and recommendations are prepared.
Your Second Appointment
During your second appointment, you will meet with our physician as well as the genetic counselor. At this visit, you will receive a breast examination from the physician and you will learn the results of your cancer risk assessment. We will also discuss a plan to carefully monitor your health based on your level of risk. This may include a schedule of periodic mammograms, physical exams or other specialized testing. You may be referred to other specialists, as needed, based on your situation. There will be plenty of time for questions. If you decide on genetic testing, or agree to participate in one of the Penn research studies, a blood sample may be drawn at this visit.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is offered to people with personal or strong family histories of breast and/or ovarian cancer to help determine the chance they will develop cancer. Our program provides education
and counseling about the benefits and limitations of genetic testing to help you make the right decision.
When the genetic testing results are reported, you will be contacted by our genetic counselor to schedule a third appointment. At that visit, our team will provide counseling about how the results may modify your cancer risk, and whether this will change the health management plan outlined at your second appointment. Because of the need for detailed discussion, results are never disclosed by telephone
Our Team Will:
-Help you understand the risk factors involved.
-Talk with you about your personal concerns.
-Review your family history, medical history and lifestyle risk factors.
-Discuss genetic testing and assist in your decision about this option.
-Provide a written summary of your risk level.
-Outline a plan for continued monitoring to protect your health.
-Evaluate your eligibility to participate in research studies.
-Provide information for individuals who have
been diagnosed with cancer and want to know about the role
of genetics in their diagnosis.
Prevention and Detection Trials
A major focus of the Cancer Risk Evaluation Program is using research to find better ways
to measure, prevent and manage genetic risk for cancer. Clinical trials allow doctors to evaluate promising new methods of cancer prevention, detection and treatment. If you are at a high risk for cancer, our physicians will discuss with you any cancer risk reduction and early detection
trials for which you may be eligible.
Payment for Services
Visits related to participation in the Cancer Risk Evaluation Program are free. Those individuals who are at a significantly increased risk will need medical follow-up and ongoing monitoring. You may choose to be monitored by a specialist at Doylestown Hospital or The Abramson Cancer Center of University of Pennsylvania and will be billed standard outpatient visit fees after the initial assessment. We can assist you in determining your insurance coverage before deciding to schedule an appointment.
Genetic testing is provided through a commercial laboratory. We will also assist you in determining your insurance coverage for testing and providing letters of medical necessity to your insurer if required, but all billing is handled directly with the commercial laboratory.
OncoLink(r) Web Site
OncoLink is the Abramson Cancer Center's award-winning resource on the Internet. It contains information about the latest cancer treatments, research advances and related issues such as cancer risk. Through OncoLink you can access information from the Abramson Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute and other sources. You can also learn about support services for you and your family. Visit oncolink.org.
Cheryl Knight, MS, CGC
Cancer Risk Evaluation Program Coordinator
Doylestown Hospital Cancer Institute
599 West State Street, Suite 307
Doylestown, PA 18901
(267)885-1864
cknight@dh.org |
