Breast Cancer
Patient Information
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US. Although we have made significant strides in the 5 year survival rate of younger women with breast cancer, the advances in breast cancer detection and treatment are just keeping pace with an increased incidence of breast cancer among older Americans, and therefore breast cancer mortality rates have been fairly constant over the past two decades.
Risk Factors The UVA High Risk Clinic provides longitudinal ongoing care for women known to be at higher risk for the development of breast cancer. Patients receive frequent in-depth examinations to screen aggressively for the development of cancer and to facilitate the cure of breast cancer by diagnosing it at an optimal early stage. Our mission is to promote quality care for breast disease through stringent evaluation, early detection and risk reduction. Roughly 60% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have none of the risk factors known to be associated with the disease. Therefore, anyone witha new breast lump or symptom--breast pain or nipple discharge, for example, should be evaluated by her physician.
Benign Breast Care Breast Cancer Care Further information about breast cancer is available from the online Self Help Book For Breast Cancer Patients developed by the University of Virginia's Breast Resource Center.
In the last few years, great strides have been made in uncovering a subset of women who have inherited a tendency toward the development of breast cancer. The University of Virginia has developed two resources for women who may be at high risk for the development of breast cancer. The UVA Genetics Evaluation Clinic provides a way for women with a family history of breast cancer or of other malignancies to better understand their personal risk of developing cancer and to undertake breast cancer risk reduction. To make an appointment with our genetic evaluation clinic, please call directly. You will initially have a breast exam and mammogram review, as well as a review of all past breast surgeries and biopsies performed on you or on other family members. You will then recieve a risk assessment. If your risk for developing breast cancer is 1.5 times or greater the national risk of other women your age, you will be offered further genetic screening and medical interventions.
Dr Richard Santen, Professor of Endocrinology and Co-Director for Research of the UVA Cancer Center is specifically interested in the treatment of patients with benign breast disorders, including breast pain and cystic disease. Dr Santen is specifically interested in the role of hormone replacement therapy, and alternatives to hormone replacement therapy in women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Appointments can be made with Dr Santen's office at 434-924-2207.
The University of Virginia is committed to the highest quality of interdisciplinary care of patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer. To that end, we have formed a multidisciplinary specialty service that evaluates and cares for women with breast cancer utilizing the combined input of specialists from seven disciplines: surgery, medical oncology, radiation therapy, radiology, plastic surgery, endocrinology, and pathology. We believe that we can, through rigorous application of the current fund of knowledge regarding breast cancer treatment, optimize the outcome for our patients, and provide them witht he best possible care in a caring and responsive environment. If you have a new diagnosis of breast cancer, or are a referring physician with a patient with a new diagnosis of breast cancer, please call 434-924-9479 or 434-924-5813 for an immediate appointment. We understand that a new diagnosis of breast cancer raises many questions and concerns, and that an immediate appointment can help to alleviate much of the anxiety that a new diagnosis brings. We are therefore committed to offering an appointment within 24 hours of your call if needed.
See also: Breast Cancer Support Group
