If you discover a lump, feel pain in your breast, or experience other symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. With a combination of routine exams, diagnostic imaging, and other services, your doctor can determine the cause of your symptoms and whether treatment is required, as well as address discomfort and offer peace of mind. For evaluations, genetic testing, and other breast clinical services, patients in the Staten Island area can turn to Richmond University Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast and Imaging Center.
Patient Evaluation
An evaluation begins with a physical examination administered by one of our experienced physicians, along with a review of your medical records to identify risk factors and patient concerns. Depending on the results of your evaluation, you may be referred to the women’s imaging center located within the Comprehensive Breast and Imaging Center for 3-D mammography, a breast ultrasound, or other diagnostic imaging.
If any abnormalities are detected, your physician will discuss your options and recommend a personalized treatment plan. In some cases, no further action will be required, although monitoring or additional imaging may be needed.
Benign Breast Conditions
Your physician may discover lumps or other breast abnormalities that do not indicate cancer or another breast disease during your evaluation. Some benign breast conditions have no symptoms and require no treatment, while others present pain and other symptoms that can easily be mistaken for cancer.
Even when not cancerous themselves, benign breast conditions can lead to increased risk of cancer development. Your physician will recommend next steps for treatment or monitoring, as well as cancer prevention strategies to reduce risk.
High-Risk Evaluation and Surveillance
Your level of risk will greatly affect how your physician recommends you proceed. When it comes to understanding your risk for breast cancer, there are a number of factors that contribute, including:
- Age
- Family history
- Personal history
- Race/ethnicity
- Lifestyle
If you are determined to be at high risk for breast cancer, your physician may recommend a more aggressive treatment plan to monitor your health. Genetic testing can also play an important role in uncovering additional risk factors and potential preventative measures.
Genetic Testing
While less common, some individuals carry a heredity risk for breast cancer passed down via genetic mutations. Known as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, these genetic markers significantly increase your risk for developing aggressive breast cancers. To determine whether you carry this gene, you may undergo genetic testing.
The testing is simple and painless and requires only a blood sample. If you do carry these genes, our care team can determine which preventative methods are best suited to monitor your risk levels and act quickly if further treatment is needed. Remember, some individuals with an elevated risk for breast cancer will never develop the disease, while others with few or no risk factors may be diagnosed. Undergoing testing simply identifies your genetic risk factors to give you and your physician more information.
Learn More about Clinical Breast Services
If you are concerned about breast health or other women’s health issues, contact Richmond University Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast and Imaging Center. Our highly trained, compassionate staff will explain your options for clinical breast services to deliver quality care tailored to your specific needs. Call (718)-818-1161, Option 1 today to schedule an appointment.
