Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center opens high-risk breast clinic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WILKES-BARRE, PA. -- A new high-risk breast clinic opened at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center (GWV) this month for patients interested in a proactive approach to breast health.

The new clinic will benefit women with a family history of breast cancer or other breast disease who are worried about their own risk. Patient care will be coordinated with Geisinger specialists in breast health and include further evaluation with genetics counselors, pathology, medical oncology, Geisinger’s Center for Women’s Imaging, and others as needed. GWV is the only hospital in northeastern Pennsylvania to earn full accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

“If you are wondering what your risk of breast cancer is, and how to be proactive about reducing it, consider getting a referral from your physician for an appointment in this new clinic,” said Jacqueline Guerriero, D.O., breast surgeon at GWV. “It is designed to offer women a comprehensive evaluation based on genetics and family history, breast density and other risk factors.”

Dr. Guerriero says the clinic specifically may help those women:

• With extremely dense breasts (about 10 percent of women), which make mammograms more difficult to interpret and also increase the risk of breast cancer;
• With a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer on either their mother’s or father’s side of the family;
• With previous abnormal breast biopsies

“Anyone with concerns regarding risk of breast cancer can come in for an evaluation and we will provide a risk assessment and risk reduction strategies,” said Jeanne Cadman, CRNP, nurse practitioner with the high-risk breast clinic. “Remember that some of the women who get breast cancer have no risk factors we can identify.”

To schedule an appointment with the high-risk breast clinic, please call 1-800-275-6401 or visit www.geisinger.org.