Some people may have an inherited risk for cancer because of mutations in one of two genes: BRCA-1, BRCA-2. Carrying a BRCA-1 or -2 mutation suggests a significant risk for breast, ovarian and other cancers for both men and women.
Knowing you have this risk can cause emotional and family issues. With the input of a patient focus group, the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute and Piper Breast Center began a resource group for individuals and families with BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations. Meetings take place at Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Enhancing Connections Program
If you have breast cancer, one of the many questions you may be facing is how to help your children cope. Enhancing Connections was created as a response to the challenges mothers said they experienced in responding to their child during treatment and recovery from breast cancer. The program consists of five sessions in one- or two- week intervals at Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hospital support services
It helps to know you're not alone. We encourage you and your family to gain support not only from our cancer experts, but also from others going through similar experiences.
Every Allina hospital offers these support services. Your doctor or nurse can tell you how to access them.
Patient account representatives can answer questions about hospital bills or insurance coverage. They also can help you access Allina Financial Assistance Services.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor and a nurse practitioner specializing in cancer care will assess how cancer is affecting your ability to do normal daily activities, work or exercise. After cancer treatment, they will work with you to restore those abilities.
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute offers cancer rehabilitation services in partnership with Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.
Items like wigs, hats and scarves help many women through breast cancer treatment. Specially fitted bras, camisoles or prostheses can help you feel more comfortable during and after treatment.
The cancer resource centers at these locations offer a selection of bras, wigs and more at no or little cost.
Many insurance companies cover breast prostheses, bras and camisoles. Please check with your insurance company and contact a cancer resource center for a shop or fitter near you.
Low-cost or free mammograms
Our clinics and hospitals participate in the Minnesota Department of Health's Sage Screening Program. The effort offers free mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women.
Is genetic testing for breast cancer right for me?
Testing is only one part of the risk assessment.
To reliably assess cancer risk and develop a personal plan, your health care provider may give you a medical exam and ask for your personal and family history. He or she may
refer you to a genetic counselor.
Some features of a personal or family history that may increase your health care provider's suspicion that a genetic test may help are:
breast cancer or other cancer at an earlier than typical age (usually younger than 45 or 50 for breast cancer)
breast and ovarian cancer in the same family or family member
men with breast cancer
Jewish ancestry
certain rare cancers and rare benign (non-cancer) growths.
How do genes affect breast cancer risk?
Changes in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been linked to the tendency for inherited breast and ovarian cancer. But, they are not the only genes that are linked to the risk for these cancers.
Testing can be done to tell if you have an alteration on one of these genes. The tests cannot fully determine if you will or will not get a cancer. The tests may help clarify risks, may give relatives the ability to seek testing, and ensure a management plan that is right for you.
Source: Allina Patient Education, Genetic Testing for Assessing the Risk of Hereditary Breast Cancer, can-ahc-14312 (09/09) Reviewed by: Timothy Sielaff, MD, PhD, FACS, president, Virginia Piper Cancer Institute; Carol Bergen, RN, manager, Piper Breast Center; Deborah Day, MD, medical director, Piper Breast Center; Shari Baldinger, MS CGC, genetic counseling coordinator, Abbott Northwestern Hospital First Published: 08/25/2009 Last Reviewed: 08/25/2009
American Cancer Society services
We work with the American Cancer Society to bring breast cancer support services to you and your family.
Look Good...Feel Better
A licensed cosmetologist can show you how to enhance your appearance and self-image during breast cancer treatment. Allina locations in these cities offer this service:
Nutrition therapy
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