Personalized Care

Genetics plays a big role in breast cancer

An increased genetic risk is at hand, if breast cancer occurs frequently within the family, alone or even together with ovarian cancer. In particular, if the interested person is very young, a genetic mutation of the BRCA gene (BRCA 1/BRCA 2) is assumed. An early detection of this gene mutation could be really relevant for the health of the entire family!

One of my core competences is the assistance of women with a particularly high risk, those women who are affected by this rare gene mutation. If after a detailed medical consultation, I come to the conclusion that you may be affected by this gene mutation, I will refer you to a specialist for a genetic consultation. If after this consultation my assumption will be confirmed, detailed medical check-ups within shorter time intervals are necessary. The usual intervals of two years provided in the framework of the mammography-early detection program are not sufficient in the case of high risk patients.

Besides genetics there are other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight and many other things which increase the risk of breast cancer above average. These are risk factors which one can personally influence in a positive way.

A risk factor which can be influenced only in a limited way is a high breast density: It is important to know that in case of a very high tissue density cancer is not necessarily visible during mammography. Thus, in this case only ultrasound and in some cases also tomosynthesis or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used as additional examination methods. During the mammography tests, I will inform you also about your breast density. If necessary, further examinations can be planned.

The respective, individual tailor-made procedure in the preventive care becomes more important with increasing knowledge on breast cancer! Today we talk about a so-called personalized care.

In order to be able to choose the correct preventive care, it is necessary to first determine the personal risk of a breast cancer.

The preventive medical check-up that matches exactly your risk status
In an interdisciplinary cooperation with assigning physicians (gynecologists, practitioners), I will prepare a preventive medical check-up program for you, which will best match your risk status. We will also develop the necessary risk assessment in an interdisciplinary cooperation with the assigning physicians.

Important! The right examination method – at the right intervals
If the wrong method is applied for the early detection, cancer is not detected at all or detected too late! The choice of the right examination at the respective, necessary intervals is decisive for the early diagnosis.

Existing pictures are not always sufficient to be able to make the correct diagnosis.

When analyzing abnormal findings, it is basically assessed if a tissue sampling (biopsy) is required in order to ensure the diagnosis. Sometimes the existing images are sufficient to make the right diagnosis. Very often, however, further examinations are necessary such as mammography, tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging:

• Mammography and ultrasound

  These two standard examinations are known as basic examinations for women from the age of 40. They are used as preventive medical examination or for the analysis of abnormal findings. In the breast diagnostics, it is very important to compare the latest results with the results of preliminary examinations in order to diagnose possible changes.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  The MRI is one of the most important procedures in breast diagnostics, but unfortunately also prone to errors as regards its execution and interpretation.
  Here specialized expert knowledge is required!
  For the evaluation of the MRI an expert opinion in breast diagnostics is necessary to avoid wrong interpretations and unnecessary distress!

• Tomosynthesis

  The tomosynthesis is a new diagnostic method. The examination is carried out similar to mammography – but in this case more images are taken of each breast. From a scientific point of view, it has already been sufficiently proved that with the help of tomosynthesis cancer can be detected faster and very often in an earlier stage compared to the one of mammography.

Active care with nutrition and exercise advice

With a healthy nutrition and regular exercises every woman can actively avoid and reduce the risk of breast cancer or positively influence the healing process after a cancer diagnosis.

Thanks to the close cooperation with Mrs. Mag. Karin Pauer, qualified nutritionist, personal trainer, fitness/sports and vital coach, we are also able to offer you an individual, tailor-made and professional consultation and assistance on request.