A 37-year-old mother from Elmhurst, Illinois, Michaela Del Barrio, credits a high-risk breast cancer assessment at Northwestern Medicine with the early detection of her cancer. Despite having a family history of breast cancer and voicing her concerns to doctors in her twenties, Del Barrio was initially told she was too young for screening. She persisted in seeking answers and after the birth of her second child at age 35, brought up her concerns again with her OB-GYN and primary care physician.

Following the completion of breastfeeding, Del Barrio underwent her first mammogram, which did not show any abnormalities. However, she was referred to a high-risk breast clinic at Northwestern Medicine Oak Brook Outpatient Center for further evaluation.

At the clinic, Spring Piatek, APRN, conduct

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