Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program

Hoag launched the Hoag Early Risk Assessment or HERA Program in 2014. This program is intended to help women between the ages of 35 and 55 understand their risk for breast cancer and provide lifestyle recommendations to help them reduce their risk and live a happier, healthier life.

There are a number of factors contributing to a woman’s breast cancer risk including demographics such as age and race, family history, previous biopsies, obstetric and menstrual history, and use of hormone replacement therapy.

The HERA program was developed by Hoag as a service to our community of women, and there is no additional cost for these electronic resources and outreach from our High Risk Nurse Practitioner. We hope that the HERA program will help you in becoming more breast self-aware and thank you for your valued support of our Hoag Breast Imaging Centers!

Your recent mammogram results from Hoag included information regarding your risk level – Average or Elevated risk.

*Note: On 10/31/2019, the HERA program risk algorithm was modified to include an updated version of one of the risk assessment tools (Tyrer-Cuzick/IBIS version 8), which now incorporates breast density into the risk assessment. For some women, this resulted in a change in risk assessment compared to prior years.

Risk Assessment Options

If you would like to further your information on breast cancer risk, there are several assessment options that ask questions about your lifestyle, family history and personal history of breast and ovarian health to determine your lifetime risk for developing cancer. We’ve listed a program below at Hoag as well as a useful tool to help you better understand your risks.

  • Hoag Breast & Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program was specifically designed for women at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer and offers not only medical management but treats the whole woman with wellness services including fitness, nutrition, sexual and mental health and stress reduction techniques.