Women receiving their screening mammograms at Mercy Health locations and on Mercy Health’s mobile mammography vans may have noticed something new. Mammography technologists are now asking patients about their personal and family history, as it relates to breast cancer risk.

“This evaluation of personal and family history leads to a score that offers a predictive model of the patient’s risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime,” says Brittany Glover, Director of Imaging for Mercy Health’s East Side locations.

Patients whose answers indicate an elevated lifetime risk of breast cancer are given the option to schedule an appointment with a member of the breast health team. Patients with any of the following breast cancer risk factors can also self-refer to the assessment program:

  • A first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with a known breast cancer related gene mutation such as BRCA1 and/or BRCA2.
  • A personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • A male relative with breast cancer
  • Multiple breast biopsies and/or atypical findings on a breast biopsy
  • Radiation therapy to the chest between the age of 10 and 30 years
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
  • Dense breast tissue on a mammogram

Patients referred to the program will meet with a surgical oncologist or the group’s nurse practitioner to review their personal and family health history, have a breast health evaluation and discuss recommendations to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

The breast health evaluation may include:

  • Risk model assessments to estimate your lifetime risk of breast cancer
  • Review of mammograms and other breast imaging studies
  • A comprehensive breast exam
  • Strategies to reduce risk including counseling on lifestyle modifications
  • A personalized breast health plan
  • Patient education materials
  • A referral to specialists for additional risk-reduction strategies or genetic counseling and testing

 Mercy Health’s surgical breast oncology team includes:

  • Nicole Melchior, DO, Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, Eastgate, 601 Ivy Gateway, Suite 2300, Cincinnati, OH 45245 and Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, Anderson, 7502 State Road, Suite 1110, Cincinnati, OH 45255
  • Jacquelyn Palmer, MD, Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, Fairfield, 3050 Mack Road, Suite 202, Fairfield, OH 45014
  • Anna Sobolewski, MD, Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, West, 3300 Mercy Health Blvd., Suite 1140.5, Cincinnati, OH 45211
  • Abigail Tremelling, MD, Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, Eastgate, 601 Ivy Gateway, Suite 2300, Cincinnati, OH 45245 and Mercy Health – Breast Surgery, Kenwood, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Suite 102, Cincinnati, OH 45236
  • Elise Evans, CNP

For more information on the high risk breast cancer assessment program or to schedule an appointment, please call 513-924-8535.