The Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset now offers a program tailored to high-risk patients, second opinions and more comfortable breast biopsies.
Protecting Yourself When You’re High-Risk
If you’re at high risk for breast cancer, you might benefit from the Steeplechase Cancer Center’s new High-Risk Breast Screening and Risk Reduction Program.
Women who fall into this category typically have a mother, sister, or daughter—or multiple relatives—who have had breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, “high risk” means you have a 20 percent or higher lifetime risk of developing the disease. In contrast, women at average risk have a 1 in 8 or 13 percent risk of having breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.
“Our multidisciplinary team of specially trained physicians, nurses, and genetic counselors help women understand their risk factors and determine what actions they can take to protect themselves,” says breast surgeon Deborah Lue, MD, Medical Director of Breast Services at the Steeplechase Cancer Center. “We can help women develop an individualized program to address their elevated risk, which may include additional imaging studies, genetic counseling and testing, lifestyle and dietary changes, and meetings with breast surgeons and medical oncologists.”
Women who are at high risk of breast cancer and have a strong family history of other cancers may need genetic counseling.
To participate in the program, a woman must complete a risk evaluation form at the time of her annual mammogram at the Sanofi US Breast Care Program. The calculated risk assessment results are provided to the patient and her physician.
For more information about the High-Risk Breast Screening and Risk Reduction Program or to make an appointment, call (908) 243-8660.
Knowing All of Your Options
If you’ve received a breast cancer diagnosis, you’ll want to know all of your treatment options. Experts recommend getting a second opinion before settling on a treatment plan. Now Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset offers a second-opinion program, which allows you to connect with a breast cancer specialist at the Steeplechase Cancer Center.
“Our multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care can help you feel confident about your treatment options,” says Cynthia Lee, MD, a fellowship-trained breast surgeon with 20 years of experience who recently joined Steeplechase Breast Specialists and is affiliated with the RWJBarnabas Medical Group.
It’s especially important to get a second opinion if there’s any uncertainty about the type or extent of cancer; you were diagnosed with rare or complex breast cancer; you’re confused about your treatment options or want to explore others, or your insurance company or doctor recommends it.
A breast cancer specialist at the Steeplechase Cancer Center can help you make an informed decision about your treatment plan by doing the following:
- Review your test results
- Evaluate your diagnosis
- Review your treatment options, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery
- Determine whether you’re eligible to participate in one of the many clinical trials offered at RWJUH Somerset in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Consult with other specialists at the Steeplechase Cancer Center. They may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, plastic surgeons, genetic counselors, and patient navigators.
To arrange for a consultation with a specialist through the Second Opinion Program, contact Kimberly Cromwell-Piniella, CBCN, RN, BSN, Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at the Steeplechase Cancer Center. Call (908) 252-4053.
A Better Biopsy
At RWJUH Somerset, patients can have a breast biopsy guided by a system that uses three-dimensional (3D) imaging, also known as tomosynthesis. (This is the same imaging technology that’s used for mammograms.)
The system gives the radiologist a better view of breast tissue, enabling him or her to quickly identify subtle lesions and faint calcifications that may not be visible on other systems. The biopsy is performed while you’re lying on a table, which allows the radiologist to access the breast from any side. He or she may be able to sample lesions that are difficult to reach with traditional, two-dimensional tables. Patients report that the biopsy was faster, more comfortable, and less painful than expected.
“Our state-of-the-art technology enhances the quality of care patients receive at RWJUH Somerset,” says Dr. Lue.
RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey— the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center— provide close-to-home access to the most advanced treatment options.
For more information, visit the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset or call 844.CANCERNJ to make an appointment.