Press release of the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD)
The German Cancer Society has confirmed that the Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) provides high-quality treatment in the areas of early detection, genetic counseling and therapy. This makes the UKHD the first certified center of its kind in Baden-Württemberg.
If several family members have had breast or ovarian cancer in the past, many women ask themselves if and when they themselves will be affected. But what can you do if there is nothing to treat yet? Take advantage of early detection and wait until a tumor appears? Or is it better to have preventive surgery? The German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft - DKG) has now certified the Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) as a point of contact with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary range of consultation and treatment services of the highest quality standards. This makes the center the first DKG-certified facility of its kind in Baden-Württemberg. Prerequisites for certification include intensive cooperation in the fields of gynecology, human genetics, oncology, radiology, pathology and psycho-oncology, joint case discussions, constant quality controls, a high level of expertise measured by the number of patients as well as further and advanced training opportunities.
One in five to ten cases of breast cancer is hereditary and is caused by a change in genetic information that significantly increases the risk of developing the disease. Genetic factors can also play a role in ovarian cancer (ovarian carcinoma), which initially grows unnoticed and is therefore usually only discovered at an advanced stage. Unlike breast cancer, there is still no efficient early detection method for ovarian cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer live in constant fear that the tumor may have already started to grow unnoticed. In both cases, women and men with an increased risk of breast cancer need qualified advice on how to deal with the increased likelihood of developing the disease and which screening and treatment options are suitable.
"If there are indications of a hereditary predisposition because breast or ovarian cancer has occurred more frequently in the family or at a particularly young age, people seeking advice can come to our interdisciplinary consultation," says Dr. Nicola Dikow, Head of the Centre for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Senior Physician at the Institute of Human Genetics at the UKHD. "We discuss with them the possibility of genetic analysis, early detection measures and preventive measures such as the removal of the breast or ovaries. It is also important to find the right time for family planning." At the same time, there is still a great need for research, as not all patients have the potentially disease-causing genetic alteration. The center is therefore participating in multicentre studies in order to provide these patients with the best possible care.
The Heidelberg Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer is under the joint management of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Institute of Human Genetics at the UKHD. "The certification by the German Cancer Society underlines the great commitment of all employees and the important interdisciplinary cooperation - also with partners outside the campus," emphasizes Professor Dr. Christian Schaaf, Medical Director of the Institute of Human Genetics. "By setting up the center, we have closed a gap in care in Baden-Württemberg and the neighboring regions. In addition, the certificate offers good guidance for those affected who are looking for qualified advice and care."
In order to be able to provide patients with the highest level of care across the board and close to home, the center is networked with surrounding clinics and certified breast and gynecological cancer centers, which is to be further expanded in the future. "After we have advised, diagnosed and, if necessary, operated on those affected, they can continue to be cared for by their trusted doctors at the referring center. We support our colleagues in a supplementary advisory capacity," explains Dr. Oliver Zivanovic, Medical Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UKHD. His goal is to establish a highly specialized center for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer at the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital: "The new and now certified center for familial breast and ovarian cancer is an important building block on this path."
Image description
Dr. Nicola Dikow (center), Head of the Centre for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Senior Physician at the Institute of Human Genetics at the UKHD, and Dr. Axel Gerhardt, Senior Physician at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the UKHD, discuss the findings with the patient during the interdisciplinary consultation and advise on how to proceed. Source: Heidelberg University Hospital
Contact
Dr. med. Nicola Dikow
Genetische Poliklinik am Institut für Humangenetik
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg und Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 440
69120 Heidelberg
E-Mail: Nicola.Dikow@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Consultation hours at the Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tel.: +49 6221 56-5087
E-Mail: sprechstunde.genetik@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Further information (German)
Zentrum für familiären Brust- und Eierstockkrebs am UKHD
Informationsflyer
Universitätsfrauenklinik Heidelberg
Institut für Humangenetik des UKHD
Brustzentrum Heidelberg
Psychoonkologische Beratung und Behandlung am Nationalen Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT) Heidelberg
Deutsches Konsortium Familiärer Brust- und Eierstockkrebs
BRCA-Netzwerk e.V. – Hilfe bei familiären Krebserkrankungen
You can also find this press release online in German at UKHD Newsroom.
Heidelberg University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine: Internationally Renowned Patient Care, Research and Teaching
Heidelberg University Hospital (Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, UKHD) is one of the largest and most prestigious medical centers in Germany. The Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University (Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg, MFHD) belongs to the internationally renowned biomedical research institutions in Europe. Both institutions have the common goal of developing new therapies and implementing them rapidly for patients. Heidelberg University Hospital and the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University employs around 14.500 employees and is committed to providing trainings and qualifications. Every year, around 86,000 patients and more than 1.100.000 outpatient cases are treated in more than 50 clinical departments with almost 2.500 beds. Together with the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and the German Cancer Aid, the UKHD established the first National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg. The goal is to provide care at the highest level as an oncology center of excellence and to rapidly transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the hospital. In addition, the UKHD operates in partnership with the DKFZ and the University of Heidelberg the Hopp Children’s Cancer center Heidelberg (KiTZ), a unique and nationally known therapy and research center for oncological and hematological diseases in children and adolescents. The Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed) is one of the top medical training programs in Germany. Currently, there are about 4.000 future physicians studying in Heidelberg.
Dr. Stefanie Seltmann
Press Spokeswoman
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel. +49 6221 56-5052
Stefanie.Seltmann@uni-heidelberg.de
Julia Bird
Deputy Press Spokeswoman
Tel. +49 6221 56-7071
Fax. +49 6221 56-4544
julia.bird@med.uni-heidelberg.de