Sutter Health helps high-risk patients map out next steps

Sutter Health is providing patients who are at high risk for breast cancer with access to a new GPS‑style resource. And it wastes no time — the program activates directly after mammograms are completed, giving concerned patients immediate clarity on the path forward.

The Sacramento, Calif.-based system is piloting its first automatic High‑Risk Breast Cancer Screening Program at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Core to the program are diagnostic tools that enable staff to quickly identify patients with a 20% or higher lifetime risk of breast cancer (based on characteristics like dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer). These high‑risk patients are automatically put in contact with a nurse navigator who explains results and coordinates virtual follow-up care, reducing both delays and the burden on patients.

The program, which builds upon the success of high-risk breast programs at other Sutter facilities, connects participants with care teams across the system, including primary care, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, genetics, and cancer care.

“What makes this program unique is how seamlessly it fits into a patient’s care,” said Amanda Wheeler, M.D., cancer surgeon and chair of Sutter’s Advanced Cancer Service Line. "By integrating risk assessment and navigation during a mammogram, we aim to reduce delays in detection and help patients take proactive steps earlier. And with virtual follow‑up counseling, more patients can seamlessly access timely guidance from home — without extra appointments or travel.”

The pilot will enroll 250 patients and help shape a systemwide rollout by 2028, supported by Sutter’s high screening volume of more than 360,000 mammograms in 2025. By offering immediate guidance and virtual follow-up care, the program aims to replace confusion and anxiety with clear next steps for patients who need timely, specialized support.