HOPE Program Provides Genetic Counseling, Risk Assessment for Those Concerned With Developing Cancer
The Cancer Institute Of New Jersey Hamilton Now Reaches Out to Those with Cancer Risk Based on Family, Personal Medical History

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY – The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton (CINJ-H) announces the addition of the Hereditary Oncology Prevention and Evaluation (HOPE) Program at The LIFE Center at Hamilton.

The LIFE Center at Hamilton provides genetic counseling and risk assessment for young women with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The HOPE Program extends the availability of this genetic counseling and risk assessment to any individual who is concerned about his or her risk of developing any type of cancer, based on family history or personal medical history.

Genetic Counseling and Cancer Risk Assessment for Those with Personal and/or Family History of Cancer
"The HOPE Program helps individuals and families learn more about their personal cancer risk and realize when genetic testing is appropriate," says Trish Tatrai, RN, MS, OCN, Certified Breast Health Navigator and Cancer Genetics Coordinator at CINJ Hamilton. "The program also helps people understand the medical options available to manager cancer risk and choose individually appropriate medical strategies."

The HOPE Program offers:

• appropriate medical and genetic information
• the services of a certified genetic counselor and other healthcare professionals
• discussions about specific federal and state laws that protect individuals from genetic discrimination
• genetic counseling and genetic testing, provided on site at CINJ-H
• social support and resources for those confronting cancer risk.

Various healthcare professionals help patients and families make informed decisions about their own healthcare and ways to monitor for and treat possible cancer.

For more information on the HOPE Program, please contact the Certified Breast Health Navigator and Cancer Genetics Coordinator at CINJ Hamilton at (609) 584-2836.

The LIFE Center (Ladies Professional Golf Association In the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) was established with the support and advocacy of Ladies Professional Golf Association golfer, Val Skinner. It was Skinner who helped found the LIFE Foundation in memory of fellow LPGA golfer and close friend Heather Farr, who died at age 28 of breast cancer.

More About CINJ-H
Established in 1996, CINJ-H is located on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton and is an affiliate member of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in the state. The NCI designation of comprehensive cancer center has been given to only 39 centers nationally. In late 2006, CINJ-H was honored with the prestigious Press Ganey Summit Award recognizing high achievement in patient satisfaction. Recipients of the Summit Award have earned levels of patient satisfaction within the top five percent of all healthcare organizations in the United States for three consecutive years.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.