Navigating a family history of breast cancer: How genetic counseling and early detection led to a positive outcome

For women with a history of breast cancer in their family, there's always a question sitting in the back of their minds: "Will I get breast cancer and when?"

"Both my mother and my grandmother were diagnosed with it," breast cancer survivor Megan Brieske said. "I wanted to know if it was going to happen to me too."

Forty-eight-year-old Brieske is a nurse manager at Ascension All Saints Hospital and has worked there for 27 years. Through her network of co-workers and providers, she learned about the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program, designed to identify individuals who may be at a higher risk of developing cancer.

"I'd heard that genetic testing could be done to calculate how likely you are to be diagnosed with various types of cancer and so I made an appointment in the fall of 2022 to do that," Brieske said.

Brieske met with Rhodora Khan, Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APNP) with Ascension Wisconsin. Khan specializes in identifying individuals who are at risk for developing breast cancer at the Ascension All Saints and Ascension Franklin locations.

"Our team recommends targeted screenings, genetic risk assessment, surveillance and follow-up care based on a person's individual risks," Khan said. "We work closely with each person to create a personalized plan and connect them to the care that's right for them. Putting all of these pieces together gives us a clearer picture, a better understanding of a patient's probability of developing certain types of cancer and the best way we can try to prevent it."

After gathering information and test results, that picture came into focus for Brieske. Khan recommended that Brieske should undergo clinical breast exams and receive imaging every six months, alternating between a mammogram and a breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging, more commonly known as a breast "MRI," every six months.

"I went in for my first MRI in April of 2023 and when the imaging results came back, the doctors were able to see an extremely small tumor; they said it was less than 2 cm in size," Brieske said. "That same day, I got it biopsied, which confirmed that my tumor was cancerous and my care team started my treatment plan immediately."

In May, Brieske had a lumpectomy, followed closely by radiation treatments that summer, which she completed in July of 2023. She still receives regular monthly infusions and medication to prevent her cancer from returning, but Brieske is currently cancer free; her tumor is gone.

"I feel good, I don't have any lingering problems and I'm able to live life normally, and I am so grateful to everyone at Ascension All Saints who was part of my care team." Brieske said. "There's something so special about the people who work at the Ascension All Saints Cancer Center, they're kind and empathetic and go above and beyond any way they can."

"Seeing Megan's outcome makes me feel really good about what I do," Khan said. "This is not just a job for me, this is my purpose, my mission in life. If I can make a difference in someone's life by preventing cancer or catching it early for a good prognosis, I know I'm in the right place."

After her personal experience, Brieske encourages all women to advocate for themselves.

"You are your best advocate," Brieske said. "Seeing Rhodora was the most important piece of this puzzle for me. If I hadn't had that initially scheduled MRI, I don't know what would have happened. If you think you're at high risk for cancer, set up an appointment, make a plan with a provider, it could save your life."

To learn more about the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program, have your questions answered or schedule an appointment, please call 262-785-2273. To learn more about Ascension Wisconsin's cancer programs and find a specialist please visitascension.org/wisconsincancercare.

Rhodora Khan is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APNP) with Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin. She specializes in high risk breast cancer surveillance and sees patients at Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3811 Spring Street in Racine, and at Ascension Franklin, 10101 S 27th St. To schedule an appointment, call 262-687-3110.