Intermountain Health has launched a High-Risk Breast Cancer Program at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, aimed at helping women in the Grand Valley identify their risk for breast cancer and providing education and resources to minimize that risk.

“We’ve designed and implemented a comprehensive, patient-centered program where our breast health experts work together to reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer,” said Dr. Alicia Swink, a medical oncologist at St. Mary’s. “We take into account her genetics, family history, and lifestyle to offer the best protection possible.”

The program assists women and their primary care physicians in determining the appropriate breast cancer screening and risk-reduction strategies. Dr. Lucas Gilbride, a breast radiation oncologist at Intermountain Health, said many women struggle to understand their own risk of breast cancer and how to manage it.

“We want to simplify the process and help patients understand and manage their risk,” Gilbride said.

Dr. Joyce Sekharan, a breast surgeon and medical director of the Breast Program at St. Mary’s, emphasized the importance of early detection. “Stage 1 breast cancer has a 99% survival rate. Early detection strategies can be extremely helpful,” Sekharan said. “For women at higher risk, close monitoring by breast cancer experts is essential to catching the disease early, at a curable stage.”

Katie Lemas, the hospital’s certified genetic counselor, plays a key role in the program. “If we know a woman has a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, we can better protect her through enhanced screening, medication, and a personalized care plan,” Lemas said.

The High-Risk Breast Cancer Program is open to all women, regardless of age, with concerns about developing breast cancer. Women can self-refer or be referred by their primary care provider. The program offers breast cancer risk assessments, genetic counseling and testing, surveillance screening, risk-reduction education, and lifestyle interventions.

“We partner with women to help them change the things they can for better health and do our best to protect them from factors that cannot be changed,” said Page Kanopsic, nurse practitioner with Intermountain Health. “We’re with them every step of the way.”

The program is available virtually or in person at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction. Interpretation services are also available. For more information, call (970) 298-7500.