New center for women with familial breast or ovarian cancer
The University Medical Center Freiburg is now a member of the German Consortium for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Patients receive the entire spectrum of screening, advice and treatment from a single source. The health insurance companies cover theIf women in a family develop breast or ovarian cancer more frequently or particularly early, there may be a familial predisposition behind it. In order to detect this at an early stage and provide comprehensive help to those affected, the University Medical Center Freiburg has now been accepted as a center in the German Consortium for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Here, those seeking advice from affected families receive the entire spectrum of genetic, gynecological and radiological diagnostics as well as comprehensive interdisciplinary consultation and treatment. The costs are covered by the health insurance companies when care is provided by one of the consortium's 19 centers throughout Germany.
"For those affected, medical care close to home is of enormous value," says center spokesperson Prof. Dr. Judith Fischer, Medical Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at the Freiburg University Medical Center. Women who are diagnosed with an increased risk must undergo screening several times a year, often from a young age. "At the University Medical Center Freiburg, we are in the fortunate position of being able to offer all established diagnostic, screening and treatment procedures from a single source," says Prof. Fischer. These include gene sequencing at the highest scientific level, MRI imaging and - following an operation - the entire spectrum of breast reconstruction. The latter can also be carried out at the Freiburg University Medical Center using the patient's own tissue.
The first point of contact for affected women and families is the Institute of Human Genetics and the Freiburg Breast Center. In addition, experts from the Department of Gynecology, the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery and the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the Freiburg University Medical Center are also significantly involved in the new center.
US actress Angelina Jolie is probably the best-known person affected worldwide: in 2013, she was diagnosed with a variant of the BRCA1 gene that significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. As a result, she had the mammary gland tissue removed on both sides as a prophylactic measure and had her breasts reconstructed with silicone. "Such a radical step is by no means always necessary. We discuss in great detail in the interdisciplinary team and with those affected what is medically sensible and necessary. The decision is then up to the patient," says Prof. Fischer.
Further information:
German Consortium for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the University Medical Center Freiburg
Breast Cancer Center of the University Medical Center Freiburg
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Judith Fischer
Medical Director
Institute of Human Genetics
University Medical Center Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-70510
judith.fischer@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Contact for those affected:
Institute of Human Genetics
Phone: 0761 270-70560
gb@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Breast Center Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-31480
brustzentrum@uniklinik-freiburg.de