Sanford Health to offer personalized breast cancer risk assessment

BY LISA GIBSON

Women who receive mammograms at the Edith Sanford Breast Center in Fargo, N.D., now will have more options to assess their individual breast cancer risk through a personalized risk assessment questionnaire. The service will be offered through an expansion of the existing partnership between ESBC, which is a part of Sanford Health, and the Athena Breast Health Network.

The questionnaire will inquire about personal medical history, breast health history, hormone history and family history to compile a personalized breast cancer risk profile. “With the answers provided, Athena will identify what risk factors a woman may have and how that increases her lifetime risk of developing breast cancer,” says Nancy Anderson, Sanford Breast Health Program coordinator and Athena Program breast health specialist.

Sanford patients who complete the voluntary survey and are found to be at elevated risk will be contacted by a breast health specialist, who will work with each woman individually to help her better understand her risk, connect her with resources to address risk reduction and assist in coordinating appropriate breast cancer screenings. “Risk reduction and prevention strategies may include increased screening, surgical interventions, medications or lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of developing cancer,” says Andrea Kaster, medical director of Sanford Breast Health Clinic.

No extra cost will be charged to complete the questionnaire or for the consultation with the breast health specialist, Anderson says. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com