Hoag Early Risk Assessment Program (HERA)

The Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program is committed to identifying, empowering and educating women who are at an increased risk for breast cancer. HERA provides evidence-based lifestyle recommendations to help women reduce their risk and live a happier, healthier life.

Women with an elevated risk (> 25% lifetime risk as calculated by the IBIS risk calculator) are identified based on answers to the HERA questionnaire completed at their screening mammogram appointment. Several factors contribute to a woman’s breast cancer risk including age, family history, previous biopsies, obstetric and menstrual history and use of hormone replacement therapy.

HERA Program Highlights:

• Breast cancer risk assessment (add a bounce link to the risk assessment below)
• Medical provider or self-referrals are welcome
• Personalized cancer surveillance and risk reduction plans
• Healthy lifestyle recommendations
• Coordination with genetic counseling and testing (link to genetic counseling page) for inherited cancer syndromes where indicated
• Consultation summaries for patients and medical providers
• Coordination and reminders of ongoing breast cancer surveillance
• Access to advanced practice nurse and physician breast experts by phone or email for questions and case discussions

To learn more about Hoag’s Early Risk Assessment Program, please call 949-764-7235.

Hereditary Breast Cancer

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two genes most frequently associated with hereditary breast cancer. An individual’s chance of inheriting a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is different in each family and depends on the family history. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Learn more about BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Genetic counselors can help you navigate your family history, determine whether genetic testing is appropriate for you and help you understand how to be proactive about managing your risks. Hoag offers a robust Hereditary Cancer Program, which offers genetic counseling as well as testing, an important combination when evaluating hereditary cancer.

Risk Assessment Tool

A risk assessment tool asks questions about your lifestyle, family history and personal history of breast and ovarian health to determine your lifetime risk for developing cancer. Why is it important to know your risk? Because knowing your risk can help you do something about it!

Whether it is time for your annual breast screening or you have an area of concern, it is extremely valuable for you to be proactive in your breast health.