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6 2 0 1 4 B r e a s t H e a l t h S e c t i o n Special Advertising Section Some might say Ifeoma Roseline Okeke, MD, hematologist and board certifed medical oncologist at The Floyd Memorial Cancer Center of Indiana, is better than a fortune teller. She helps predict her patients' futures and then works to change them if cancer seems likely. At the high-risk breast cancer clinic Floyd Memorial launched in March, 2014, Dr. Okeke works with staff to assess patients' cancer risks and makes a range of life-altering recommendations based on results of the assessments and the patients' comfort levels. The most common genetic mutation causing breast cancer is BRCA 1 and 2. Mutations on these two genes can lead to breast and ovarian cancer most commonly, and also to prostate and pancreatic cancer as well as melanoma. Who gets referred to the high risk breast cancer clinic? • Breast cancer patients diagnosed before age 50 • Twice-diagnosed breast cancer patients • Ovarian cancer patients at any age • Any age breast cancer patients with family members who also have been diagnosed with breast cancer especially • Patients who have not had cancer but are considered high-risk based on combina- tions of family history and other personal history that places them at increased risk • Males with breast cancer Floyd Memorial's High-Risk Clinic Changing Course of Breast Cancer After pre-test counseling, which includes a thorough personal and family history and physical exam, a simple blood test is performed. For patients who have not been diagnosed with cancer themselves, but have a family member who has, it is best to screen the family member, if possible. Then there's post-test counseling. Patients with a lifetime risk estimate higher than or equal to 20 percent are considered high- risk. Depending on their results, Dr. Okeke might recommend aggressive screening (every six months, for example, versus annually), awareness education (how to pick up on their own abnormalities), limiting alcohol ingestion, stopping smoking, avoiding post-menopausal weight gain and basic healthy lifestyle choices. For patients at increased risk, anti-estrogen medications can help to reduce risk by up to 50-60 percent. Because the medications cause side effects, the risks and benefts are weighed. For the 10-15 percent of patients who will test positive for a genetic mutation, surgical recommendations will be discussed. "This offers the best prevention, up to 90 percent risk reduction," Dr. Okeke explained. Patients who have genetic mutations identifed are encouraged to have their children and close relatives screened. Women with the gene have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their children, boys and girls equally. Men with the gene are 20 times more likely to develop breast cancer and have increased risk for prostate cancer as well. Men can pass the gene to their daughters. Dr. Okeke sees patients in the Cancer Center of Indiana's New Albany and Corydon locations. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call the Floyd Memorial Cancer Center of Indiana at (812) 945-4000. Ifeoma Roseline Okeke, MD For 15 years, Buckhead Mountain Grill and Rocky's Italian Grill have graciously hosted the Breast Cancer Survivor Dinner on the waterfront in Jeffersonville, Ind. kicking off the Susan G. Komen Louisville Race for the Cure. Restaurant co-owners Wes Johnson and Mike Kapfhammer host the annual event and restaurant employees donate their time. Kentucky Cancer Program, the event coordinator, couldn't be more thankful. Dinner is FREE to all breast cancer survivors in Louisville Metro/Southern Indiana and over 800 attend. This year's event will be held Tuesday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m. and pays tribute to the restaurants through a western theme. Country rocker J.D. Shelburne will sing. Call 852-6318 for reservations. Kentucky Cancer Program Pays Tribute to Annual Breast Cancer Survivor Dinner Hosts, Buckhead Mountain Grill and Rocky's Italian Grill