Protecting Our Loved Ones at Risk
In this episode, Senior Producer and Host Martha Carlson embraces the hope that we can do something to help our closest relatives avoid metastatic breast cancer and even early-stage breast cancer. Despite living with no known inheritable mutation associated with breast cancer risk, Martha has MBC and her Mom recently died of the same disease. Now, her 20-something oldest child has discovered an additional factor that puts her at increased risk. Listen along as they discuss risk reduction and what steps have been recommended, followed by an informative interview with Dr. Sagar Sardesai of Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is the Co-Director of OSU High Risk Breast Clinic, along with Dr. Doreen Agnese, where they see people of all ages who are at elevated risk for breast cancer, whether due to known or unknown inheritable factors, family history, previous treatments, and more. We talk about what it means to live with high risk, the options for monitoring, when and how to begin, and why it matters. It’s another great episode from OMBCL, and we hope you learn a lot.
Episode Notes
High-Risk Breast Cancer Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
BRCA1 Breast Cancer Prevention Study
Newer and Experimental Breast Imaging Tests
OSC CCC Padamsee Lab’s Daughter, Sister, Mother Project
Daughter, Sister, Mother Project: Current and Upcoming Studies
Options for Women at Higher-Risk
The WISDOM Study: Investigation involving 10,000 women from across the US, that compares two approved screening approaches: annual mammograms for all women, starting at the age of 40 or a personalized approach to breast screening that is based on a woman’s individual risk factors for breast cancer, like her breast density, genes, and family health history.
Online Risk Calculators:
High risk clinics exist at many cancer centers across the United States. Their focus is on assessing and reducing risk for breast cancer, and services will vary by location. Though there is no complete database of the clinics, you can search on the internet for cancer centers within your geographic area that include caring for individuals who are or may be at high risk, regardless of the cause.
OSUCC Family Health Risk Calculator
Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool for Women with Benign Breast Disease (BBD)
NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool: Online Calculator (The Gail Model)
Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Calculator for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Understanding Risk and Risk Reduction:
CancerCare Breast Cancer: Understanding Risk Factors & Screening
How do Reduce Your Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
Research Advocacy Network Understanding Cancer Risk
FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) - information on risk management & treatment by mutation, cancer, & type
Living Beyond Breast Cancer At High-Risk for Breast Cancer: What is a Previvor?
More About Polygenic Risk Tests:
NIH National Human Genome Research Institute Polygenic Risk Scores
NIH Abstract on Polygenic Risk Scores and Breast Cancer Prediction
What a Polygenic Risk Score Can and Can’t Tell You
Myriad Genetics MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Test
Breast Cancer Screening Information & Resources:
CDC Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Screening Program Locations
American Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Assistance Program
National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. Free Breast Cancer Resources
Susan G. Komen search for Low-Cost Mammogram or Breast Imaging
United Breast Cancer Foundation Low-Cost Breast Screening
Chicago - A Silver Lining Foundation fund’s breast health testing for the uninsured
Chicago - Equal Hope provides free breast & cervical cancer services to under & uninsured people
Houston - Texas Southern University’s Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention Center provides no cost services to under & uninsured people. Get more information on applying for services here.
Illinois - IL breast & cervical cancer program
Massachusets - MA breast & cervical cancer program
Pennsylvania - PA breast & cervical cancer early detection program
Meet the Guests of the Episode
Sagar Sardesai, MD
Dr. Sardesai is an Associate Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and the Medical Director of the High-Risk Breast Program at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center with a long-standing clinical practice dedicated exclusively to caring for patients with breast cancer and those at high-risk of developing breast cancer. Dr Sardesai’s research focuses on early phase clinical trials in breast cancer prevention and survivorship. He is the vice-chair for the NCCN Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Guidelines and has authored or co-authored over 40 papers or book chapters in prestigious journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research. In addition, he serves as Associate Editor for Cancer Medicine and on the editorial board member for Frontiers in Oncology.
Lu Adami
Lu is a Boston-based artist whose work in craft explores the possibilities of retelling the past and living to imagine a better future. They are pursuing an MFA in Visual Arts at the School of the Museum of Fine Art at Tufts University. Prior to entering graduate school, Adami worked as an educator at Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, allowing them
to explore the ways caring and culturally responsive pedagogy can impact a student’s experience in the visual arts classroom. Adami makes artistic work that embodies those practices while pushing forward into new areas through topic, material, and method. Their work can be found at luadami.com and on Instagram @tendermaking.
