This October, screening for high-risk breast cancer is as easy as a phone call

Even during a global pandemic, breast cancer screenings are as important as ever. Because breast cancer occurs in an estimated one in eight women, you’re likely to know someone affected by it. But some women may put off routine visits due to concerns about COVID-19, while others may not know where to go with concerns about their individual risk for breast cancer or related genetic diseases.

What if you could get this information for free from the comfort of home with just a phone call? You might find out that your risk is low. If not, you could qualify for additional screening and risk-reducing treatments, giving you the best chance at preventing or detecting breast cancer early – and the best fighting chance against it.

On Saturday, October 17, Geisinger is making that possible. We’re offering free 15-minute telephone consultations with clinicians from our breast health teams, including our breast surgeons, high-risk providers, and genetics team.

The screenings are open to anyone age 18 or older who is concerned about their breast health. And they’re highly recommended for anyone with a family history of breast cancer. Signing up is easy. Just visit geisinger.org/breast-screenings. Sessions are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and availability is limited.

Once you’re registered, you’ll get an email confirmation followed by a phone call from a member of our staff. You’ll receive an appointment time once you’ve provided some basic information about your personal and family medical histories, especially pertaining to breast and ovarian cancer. If we can’t reach you to get this information, we’ll have to give your slot to someone on the waiting list, so be sure to respond.

After your evaluation with one of our specialists, someone from our care team will email you information about your results and provide additional resources if necessary. We’ll also mail your results to you. Our care team can help set up an appointment for an in-person evaluation if our clinician has determined that you’re at some level of risk.  

If you do need cancer care, Geisinger is here to support you with a multidisciplinary team of specialists that may include a combination of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, geneticists, integrative medicine providers, and behavioral health counselors – depending on your unique needs. And once you’ve completed treatment, we offer an exceptional program for survivors, because sharing your experience with others who’ve been through it can be an important step in healing mind, body, and soul.

When it comes to breast surgery, we keep your wishes and needs in mind and offer an array of services, including surgery with hidden scars, techniques to keep a natural breast shape, breast reconstruction, clinical trials, innovative approaches to pain management, and more.

This October, like every October, I’m here to remind you that when it comes to breast cancer, early detection can make all the difference. It’s a message that’s valid every month of the year, but this October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Geisinger is making high-risk screenings easier than ever and I urge anyone concerned about their breast health to sign up.

My colleagues and I will be here for you if you need us.

 

Interested in a free breast cancer screening?  Visit geisinger.org/breast-screenings.

Jacqueline Oxenberg, DO, is a surgical oncologist at Geisinger.