Implementation of a High-Risk Breast Clinic for Comprehensive Care of Women With Elevated Breast Cancer Risk Identified by Risk Assessment Models in the Community.

Abstract

Many radiology centers perform risk assessment at time of screening mammography. The Massachusetts General Hospital North Shore Cancer Center (MGHNS) developed a nurse practitioner (NP)-led high-risk breast clinic (HRBC) to provide comprehensive care for patients with elevated breast cancer risk by a validated tool. Patient and administrative data from the MGHNS HRBC was collected to evaluate clinical and implementation outcomes. We compared patients from the HRBC with those identified as having ≥ 20% lifetime risk at 5 community imaging centers. From March 2018 to February 2019, 318 patients were seen in the HRBC; 264 (83%) had ≥ 20% lifetime risk, 13 (4%) had prior atypia/lobular carcinoma in situ, 9 (3%) had ≥ 1.7% 5-year risk, and 32 (10%) had no indication of elevated risk. Genetic testing was recommended for 159 patients (50%); 33 (21%) completed testing with 1 mutation identified. Chemoprevention was discussed with 99 patients (31%); 9 (9%) initiated treatment. Screening magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recommended for 284 patients (89%); 184 (65%) had MRI performed with 2 mammographically occult cancers identified. During this time period, 215,112 patients had risk assessment performed at time of breast imaging; of these, 1,170 were found to have ≥ 20% lifetime risk. Compared with those identified as high risk in the community, patients seen in the HRBC were more likely to be white (94.3% <i>v</i> 85.4%; <i>P</i> < .001) and have a family history of ovarian cancer (16.4% <i>v</i> 9.4%; <i>P</i> < .001). We demonstrate the feasibility of an NP-led HRBC. Follow-through of recommendations by patients was highest for screening MRI; use of genetic testing and chemoprevention was lower than anticipated. In our community, uptake of the HRBC by referring providers remains a barrier, with only a minority of identified high-risk patients assessed in our clinic.