Dr. Mara Chambers on the importance of cancer screening, genetic counseling

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we talked to Mara Chambers, MD, a medical oncologist at the Markey Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Breast Care Center, about how family history affects cancer risk. 

Dr. Chambers also shared how our team of board certified genetic counselors can offer comprehensive risk assessment in order to provide personalized cancer screening guidelines for you and your family.  

What should I do if I have a family history of breast cancer?

If you have a family history of breast cancer, we would encourage you to talk to one of our genetic counselors who can go through your family pedigree and provide with you information on your risk of break cancer which helps you make a more information decision, not only for you but for your siblings and your children.

Are there other factors to consider?

We know that African Americans have a higher risk of most cancers and a higher risk of dying from those cancers. 

It is most important for people of color to adhere to guidelines as far as mammography and cancer screenings because of those increased risks.
 

Watch our full interview with Dr. Chambers.