OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer Care offers Breast Cancer Risk Reduction class April 8

From press release

Women who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer but may have a moderate to high risk for developing the disease are invited to a free Breast Cancer Risk Reduction class to be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 8, in the library at the OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer Care.

In addition to increasing age, risk factors for developing breast cancer include having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially if diagnosed at an early age, or carrying flawed versions of certain genes that have been linked to breast cancer. Women who have been diagnosed with precancerous breast changes, such as atypical hyperplasia, are also at increased risk. Recent studies show that the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women can be reduced with the use of certain anti-estrogen medication.

Women who are concerned about their chance of developing hereditary breast cancer can now use the “Pedigree Assessment Tool” (PAT) that Dr. Kent Hoskins, OSF St. Anthony medical oncologist, and his colleagues developed for identifying women at high risk for hereditary breast cancer syndrome. The PAT can be accessed through the OSF St. Anthony Web site, www.osfhealth.com.

Information provided in the Breast Cancer Risk Reduction class is derived from the National Cancer Institute, including the benefits and risks of chemoprevention.
Class size is limited, and registration is required. For registration and information, call (815) 227-2618.

OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, is owned and operated by OSF HealthCare, an affiliate corporation of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Peoria. The Medical Center Web site is www.osfsaintanthony.org.