Edith Sanford Breast Cancer (ESBC), part of the Sanford Health system based in Sioux Falls, SD, today announced it is partnering with the Athena Breast Health Network, a University of California program, to advance the use of a personalized breast cancer risk assessment.
The innovative program includes a breast cancer risk assessment tool and a care plan for high-risk patients. Additionally, it will offer patients the opportunity to participate in research aimed at gaining a better understanding of breast cancer and its risk factors, ultimately raising the standard of care for women everywhere. This program marks another milestone in ESBC's mission to end breast cancer
Athena Breast Health Network is a collaboration among the five University of California medical centers. ESBC is its first partner outside of California and was selected because of its expertise in breast cancer genomics and its ability to integrate the risk assessment into patient care.
"This new partnership allows us to use the latest risk assessment technology to uncover a woman's potential to develop breast cancer and to then to develop customized care plans for her," said Thomas Cink, MD, a fellowship-trained breast radiologist with Edith Sanford. "A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing cancer. Risk factors don't necessarily mean a woman will develop breast cancer, but understanding them allows a woman and her physician to make more informed health care and lifestyle choices."
As part of the new standard of care, prior to a breast screening (mammogram) appointment, Sanford Health patients will complete an Athena screening questionnaire online at home or in the clinic. Patients identified with an elevated risk will be referred to additional resources and specialists including risk-reduction programs and/or genetic counseling.
The risk assessment process evaluation includes the following risk factors for breast cancer:
•Age
•Personal history of breast cancer
•Family history of breast cancer
•Genetic predisposition
•Personal history of ovarian cancer
•Lifestyle (weight, smoking, alcohol use)
•Dense breasts
•Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
•Race/ethnicity
•Previous radiation exposure
•Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
•Atypical hyperplasia found in breast biopsy
In the near future, Athena will integrate breast density and small variations in inherited gene profiles, or so-called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS), into the standard risk assessment process. The Athena Breast Health Network already has collected patient-reported data on more than 41,000 women and 7,900 biospecimens from women across the state of California. In addition, the network has identified 673 women at elevated risk for breast cancer and completed 466 elevated-risk consultations with breast health specialists.
Sanford patients who complete the survey also will be given the opportunity to participate in research to further scientific knowledge on the development of breast cancer. One of the program goals is to engage the support of 4,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer to participate in a study to identify DNA, or genetic, markers.
"This milestone collaboration will benefit our patients today and women everywhere tomorrow," said Brian Leyland-Jones, MB BS, PhD, director of Edith Sanford's genomic research program. "With the help of those women who volunteer to participate in the study and through genomic sequencing, we will strive to better understand what drives breast cancer at the molecular level so we can improve treatment and someday prevent the disease altogether."
"Our goal is to learn who is at risk for what kind of breast cancer and tailor screening and prevention accordingly," said Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, founding director of Athena and director of the UCSF Breast Care Center. "We welcome the participation of Sanford Health in this exciting practice-changing endeavor."
Sanford Health will begin implementing the Athena screening and risk assessment model in pilot locations in the coming months. Athena will be implemented across the Sanford Health system beginning in 2014.
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