Cancer Risk Reduction and Education Clinic

About Cancer Risk Reduction and Education Clinic

The Cancer Risk Reduction and Education (CaRE) clinic at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, is designed for people at increased risk of developing cancer and works with them to manage their risk. Our team provides consultation and ongoing education to answer your questions and concerns regarding diagnostic or preventative care. 

We care for patients who have a family history of cancer, or a personal history of abnormal – but not cancerous – findings. 

Our team includes genetic counselors who can perform genetic testing for those who qualify and care for patients with known genetic mutations who do not have cancer, including women who have a family history of breast cancer. Women may qualify for additional breast imaging or risk-reducing medicine as part of their comprehensive prevention plan. 

Why choose us for cancer prevention care?

We know that the best way to beat cancer is to prevent it, before it even starts. Our multidisciplinary team includes medical oncologists, genetic counselors, primary care providers, cancer surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiologists, gynecologists, gynecologic oncologists and specialized nurse practitioners. These providers work together to conduct individualized cancer risk assessments and develop a personalized cancer screening and prevention plan for you.

Benefits of our program include:

• A personalized cancer screening plan developed for you
• An Assessment of your personal cancer risks with risk-reducing opportunities 
• Coordinating additional enhancing scans or procedures for patients who qualify
• Scheduling genetic testing for those who qualify with our genetic counselors 
• Free family testing for those with a known genetic mutation
• Access to a physician with expertise in medication management for noncancerous breast and colon conditions
• Opportunities to enroll in free programs for weight loss, alcohol cessation or tobacco cessation
• Support and counseling for nutrition and weight management with our registered dietitians

What to expect?

At your first appointment, our team, including physicians, genetic counselors and nurses with specialized knowledge in genetics, will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether you're at increased cancer risk and identify which cancer types. Our care team will review your previous imaging, tests and results with you and explain how we will work together to implement your personalized prevention plan. We may also talk about referrals to other specialists if you need them.

The team may also assess your family’s medical history. If cancer runs in your family, your detailed family profile will serve as a foundation for making further recommendations. The team will look for any potential patterns of inheritance.

Gathering your medical information and relevant details about your immediate family members is helpful to prepare for this conversation. If any family member has had cancer, please try to collect the following information:

• Type of cancer
• Age at diagnosis
• Current age or, if deceased, cause of death
• Whether they developed a second cancer

While having accurate and complete information helps us better assess cancer risk, we understand it may not be possible to obtain every detail about your family’s history.

Due to the comprehensive screening, tests, lab work and history review, your appointment may take longer than a typical doctor’s visit. Please plan to spend two to three hours at the Mays Cancer Center, depending on any additional testing that may be required.

Meet our leadership

Jessica Treviño Jones, MD, is a breast medical oncologist and director of our Cancer Risk Reduction and Education Clinic. As a breast oncologist and cancer prevention expert, she focuses on risk reduction, adherence and improving the quality of life for her patients, particularly those in underserved communities at higher risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Jones sees new breast cancer patients in person and offers telemedicine consultations for high-risk patients across Texas.