Erlanger Launches Risk Assessment Survey For Hereditary Cancers
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Erlanger Health System’s Center for Breast Health is now offering an online risk assessment tool for mammogram and breast imaging patients.
The assessment aims to help determine if a woman may be at higher risk for certain types of cancers due to hereditary risk factors. When patients come in for their appointments, they will be offered the opportunity to take the online risk assessment on a secure device located in the lobby area. The questionnaire typically takes less than five minutes and results are given at the completion of the patient’s mammogram.
“Our goal is to empower our patients with information that can have a big impact on their health,” said Dr.
Laura Witherspoon, medical director for Erlanger Center for Breast Health. “Most women who are at high risk for breast, ovarian and colon cancer do not have this information. This knowledge can be life changing and potentially life-saving. The Erlanger Center for Breast Health sees this as a means to improve health education and the health status of our community.”
The program can classify higher or normal risk for breast, ovarian and colon cancer. This will help identify women who need genetic testing for these diseases and may also need special screening due to being high risk. Patients who use the program will receive educational information at the end of their appointments.
The new program was launched at Erlanger East Hospital last week, with plans to expand to Erlanger Baroness Hospital and Erlanger North Hospital in the near future. To make an appointment for a mammogram, visit www.erlanger.org/breasthealth or call 778-PINK.