Boston Breast Cancer Program Identifies & Helps Women At Increased Risk

BOSTON (CBS) – Many women are at increased risk for breast cancer, but don’t know what to do about it. Now a local program is helping identify women at risk, then give ongoing support and counseling to help reduce it. Mil Pierce of Belmont is one of those women at risk; she has a strong family history of breast cancer. “My mom, my grandmother, my great aunt, generation after generation has had breast cancer,” she said. Mil Pierce (WBZ-TV) The 55-year old had genetic testing, but it was negative. So Mil went searching for answers to protect herself and her two teenage daughters. “I thought it would be really important to figure out an approach that was soup to nuts,” she explained. “I wanted to throw the kitchen sink at trying to prevent this.” Mil found what she was looking for at the B PREP program at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, developed by breast surgeon Tari King. “Our goals are to help women really understand their risk, help them understand their options for reducing that risk, things that women can take charge of themselves,” Dr. King said. Related: Breast Cancer Gene Also Linked To Prostate, Pancreatic Cancer Women like Mil are given a customized intake survey to calculate their risk. If elevated, they stay in the program, if not they leave with some reassurance. So far, two-thirds of the women screened in the program have been flagged. In addition to family history, there are lifestyle factors that play a role ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Syndicated Local Breast Cancer Brigham and Women's Hospital Dr. Mallika Marshall Source Type: news