Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program
Hoag launched the
H oag
E arly
R isk
A ssessment 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. Please see specific information
below regarding your risk type:
-
AVERAGE RISK - Your risk for breast cancer is average. Download our
average risk patient handout with plans to help you stay proactive about your breast health.
-
ELEVATED RISK - Your risk for breast cancer is elevated compared to other woman in your
age group. Download our
elevated risk patient handout with plans to help reduce your risk and make lifestyle modifications as needed.
*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 two useful tools 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.
-
Bright Pink’s assessment gives you helpful tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle
and what you can proactively do to reduce your risks.
-
The National Cancer Institute / Gail Model assessment is best used in consultation with your physician so you can
discuss your results and create a plan that is right for you.