In The News
Answers to Common Breast Cancer Screening Questions
The most important thing you should know about annual screening mammograms is this: Get yours. “Mammograms save lives,” says January Lopez, MD, a fellowship-trained breast imaging specialist, board-certified diagnostic radiologist and medical director of Breast Imaging at Hoag Breast Centers. “The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the prognosis, and detection begins with mammography.” … Read More
Why Women Lose Hair During Menopause—And What You Can Do About It
Hair loss during menopause is more common than many women realize—and often more distressing. As hormone levels shift, particularly estrogen, these changes can have a profound effect on hair texture, growth, and overall scalp health. Whether you’re experiencing thinning hair, increased shedding, or dryness, understanding the connection between menopause and hair loss is the first … Read More
From One-Word Answers to Real Conversations: Expert tips for talking to your kids about school
Asking your child about their day at school can feel like pulling teeth—but it doesn’t have to. David Cook, LMFT, clinical manager of Hoag’s adolescent mental health program, shares practical strategies for starting meaningful conversations with children and teens. From asking the right open-ended questions to recognizing when to give them space, these expert insights … Read More
Heart Health by the Decades: Expert advice from a Hoag cardiologist
Protecting your heart looks different at every stage of life. Kevin Kheder, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Hoag’s Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute, shares what to prioritize in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond to reduce risk, catch warning signs early, and maintain lifelong heart health. Your 20s: Laying the Foundation … Read More
How Gen X is Navigating Menopause with Confidence
Hot flashes. Mood swings. And, no, nothing “smells like teen spirit” anymore. Generation X grew up, grew older, and now finds themselves facing menopause without a Judy Blume book to guide them through it. But you don’t have to struggle through menopause symptoms alone. “One of the defining traits of Generation X is resilience—the ability … Read More
Family medicine physician brings the best in primary care to Hoag’s new Laguna Hills location
With the opening date of its newest location in Laguna Hills quickly approaching, Hoag is excited to welcome talented physicians who share its passion for access to exceptional whole-person care closer to home. One of them is Peter J. Azzam, MD, a family medicine practitioner dedicated to providing care to the community he loves. Below, … Read More
Rethinking Memory Loss and Dementia
Our brains don’t always work perfectly. Forgetting a neighbor’s name or struggling to find the right word can feel unsettling—as if our minds are failing. But Dr. Aaron Ritter, Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health and Director of the Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program at Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, explains that these … Read More
Top 4 Most Common Gynecologic Cancers: How to Identify, Prevent & Treat
Gynecologic cancers can strike any woman—but having the right team at your side can help you minimize your risk and maximize your outcome. Hoag Women’s Health Institute and Hoag Family Cancer Institute work together to help women assess their personal risk, take prevention into their own hands, and offer latest treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, … Read More
Announcing Hoag’s Newest Primary Care Physicians
Whether you’re seeking routine preventative care or complex disease management, Hoag Medical Group (HMG) is here to help. With primary care providers located throughout Orange County, HMG’s high-quality care is more accessible than ever. Click each profile below to learn more and book an appointment. September 2025 Dr. Peter Azzam Family Medicine Laguna Hills Dr. … Read More
Empowering Women Through Knowledge: Hoag’s Early Risk Assessment program helps women take charge of their breast health
While all women are at risk for developing breast cancer just by virtue of their sex, knowing your individual risk can make all the difference in the trajectory of your health. That is why Hoag launched the Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) program in 2014. For decades, the globally recognized Gail and Tyrer-Cuzik assessment models have … Read More