Cancer risk

NBC
Published: October 3, 2008

At 40, Elizabeth Krause is battling breast cancer, even though she doesn’t have it.

“My mother had it, her mother had it, and several of her sisters had it,“ said Krause.  Elizabeth tested positive for the breast cancer gene mutation which means her risk of getting it is much higher.  “I didn’t realize how much it was my boogeyman, until recently, that it’s always been a little bit of a fear for me,“ Krause said.

Rather than fear it, Elizabeth entered Presbyterian Hospital’s breast cancer risk assessment program.  “We’re doing clinical breast exams twice a year on those that have the genetic mutation, we’re also doing twice yearly imaging,“ said Daphne McDonald of Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.

Technology plays a role but also counseling.  A healthy diet and exercise is laid out and depending on the patient, sometimes preventative drugs are prescribed.  “We’re empowering these women to be proactive in their care, we’re giving them a team of experts prior to the diagnosis of breast cancer,“ said McDonald.

Taking control, Elizabeth says brought peace of mind, which for her was more than half the battle.  “Finding the high risk breast program made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this. When I didn’t know what to do next, they helped me figure it out,“ said Krause