Breast Cancer Program

Experts recommend that women focus on breast self-awareness. Knowing how your breasts look and feel normally will help you identify changes which may be signs of breast cancer. Speak with your physician if you notice any of the following changes:

• Skin changes such as dimpling, color changes (redness or darkening) or unusual warmth

• Masses and lumps that are new or not “your normal” (lumps can be common in women)

• Nipple discharge or new nipple retraction (chronic nipple retraction can be normal but new nipple changes should be investigated with your doctor)

• Swelling

• Unusual appearance of any part of your breast, including nipple

• Chronic pain in an isolated area of your breast

The more you understand your potential risk, the more you empower yourself to take proactive steps to prevent cancer, or detect it early.

The Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program can help you identify your breast and ovarian cancer risk through genetic counseling and testing. For women with an elevated risk, Hoag offers the High Risk Ovarian and Breast Cancer (HBOC) Prevention Program. Women benefit from increased breast surveillance as well as lifestyle assessment and modifications to help prevent cancer and find incidents of cancer earlier.

An optimal breast health routine includes breast awareness, yearly physical exams by your physician, and annual screening mammograms. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American College of Radiology, and Hoag Breast Program recommend starting annual mammograms at age 40. However, patients are encouraged to personalize their screening program with their physician.

Routine mammography is one of the most effective tools for early detection, often identifying subtle changes before they can be felt. Clinical breast exams and monthly self-exams remain important parts of preventive care, as they can sometimes reveal findings not seen on imaging.

While lifestyle choices may reduce risk, there is no proven way to prevent breast cancer. The best defense is early detection - when found and treated at a localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 97–98%, and breast-conserving surgery is often possible. Hoag offers the latest screening technologies and a wide range of options. If you’re unsure which imaging approach is right for you, your physician can help design a personalized screening plan.

If you have any questions or want to schedule your screening mammogram, call (949) 764-5780 or toll free at (800) 309-9729.

If you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, we understand this is an extremely challenging time for you and your family. As your trusted breast health partner, Hoag’s multi-disciplinary team is here to help you every step of the way.

The key to successfully treating breast cancer is catching it early. Hoag is committed to utilizing the latest advances in the treatment of breast cancer, including emerging technologies that may not be available elsewhere. Our highly specialized, dedicated breast radiologists employ these technologies to diagnose breast cancer at its earliest stage.

With these state-of-the-art diagnostic services, our breast care experts can pinpoint the exact nature and extent of your cancer – and determine the best treatment plan for you.

The superior care provided to Hoag breast cancer patients is evidenced by our exceptional survival rates which are higher than the national averages. Hoag’s higher relative survival rate is one reason why patients diagnosed at Hoag remain at Hoag for treatment, and why many patients come to Hoag to receive treatment after their initial diagnosis elsewhere.

Hoag offers a variety of innovative treatment options and the experience of a highly trained clinical team. The breadth of treatment options offered allows you to select the specific treatment type that is best suited for your particular needs. Today, majority of breast cancer patients require some form of surgery to remove the cancer. In addition, some patients may also need other treatment such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Depending on your stage, size of tumor, location, and many other factors – a combination of treatment approaches may be taken to fully treat your cancer.

Rest assured you are in good hands at Hoag. With the most advanced technologies, facilities and a skilled multidisciplinary team to care for you, we will fight your breast cancer together.

Surgery is the primary form of treatment for breast cancer. Virtually all patients will need to have the cancer surgically removed at some point during their treatment. Surgery may be done for several reasons and depends on the situation. Hoag Breast Program performs several types of surgeries, including: lumpectomy, mastectomy, oncoplastic surgery, and reconstruction.

As a survivor, you will experience a variety of effects from cancer – physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. We understand that the journey you are on is transformative. While undergoing treatment, and as you complete and move past treatment, Hoag’s caring team is here to help you navigate through your individual needs.

With all the focus and energy placed on treatment, you may have not spent much time thinking about what happens next. How do you maintain or go back to “normal” when clearly something – maybe even everything – is different? How do you handle fears of recurrence, and changes you may experience physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially?

With 12 million Americans now living their lives as cancer survivors, these are the challenging and powerful questions that guide the support services provided at Hoag Family Cancer Institute and throughout the community. At Hoag, you are considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis onwards and we are here for you every step of the way.

Hoag has developed programs specifically tailored to help you learn how to take care of yourself during and after treatments. Hoag’s support services are an important aspect of your overall care. Your oncologist and clinical care team focus on curative treatment, while our support services focus on helping patients thrive through their cancer and into a meaningful life following it.

At Hoag, we want to help you thrive through cancer by caring for your whole self during and after treatment. A personalized Survivorship Care Plan can guide your follow-up care with details on your diagnosis, lifestyle recommendations, and future appointments. Staying informed through educational resources and learning how to manage stress—through classes like meditation, yoga, and Reiki—can empower you and enhance your quality of life.

Support is equally important. Hoag offers cancer support groups, one-on-one counseling, and resources for both patients and families to ensure no one faces cancer alone. Caregivers are also supported through dedicated programs that provide education and tools to help them navigate their own challenges while caring for loved ones.

For more details on the support services classes and programs, visit Hoag’s Cancer Support Services.

Hoag’s Precision Medicine Program combines genomics and genetics to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Using the latest advances in genomic technologies, targeted therapies and research, our precision medicine program brings together a multidisciplinary team, including a robust genetic counseling group of experts, to provide patients with the latest in innovation and technology.

Meet the Precision Medicine Team.

Hoag’s Molecular Imaging & Therapy (MIT) Program has been recognized as one of only 48 Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Centers of Excellence in the world. Through this program, Hoag is helping pioneer the most sensitive imaging methods to date to advance research and applications of molecular imaging and therapy in the treatment of cancer patients. These trials are expected to play a significant role in cancer detection, individualized treatment and drug development. The future of cancer detection and therapy is offered today at Hoag.

Learn more and meet the team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides a dedicated team of genetic counselors that offer hereditary cancer assessment, offering risk assessment and genetic cancer testing to those with a personal or family history of cancer.

Learn more and meet the team.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel overwhelming at times. Many patients and their families need help with coping and can benefit from supportive counseling. Oncology Clinical Social Workers are available to provide emotional and practical support during all stages of cancer including diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment survivorship.

Find out more and meet our team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute dietitians work closely with patients’ physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers to ensure complete care.

Find out more and meet our team.