At the Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center our number one priority is you. No matter what your diagnosis, or reason for your visit, we want to make sure you have information and resources at your fingertips. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have questions or concerns. We are here to help!
From the moment you contact the Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center, our primary concern is to ensure your scheduling, diagnosis, treatment and recovery is as convenient and stress-free as possible. If you are experiencing breast pain and/or breast abnormalities or if you have received an abnormal mammogram or imaging result, please call us in Bridgewater at 908-237-4004 or Flemington at 908-237-4106 and select Option 1. We will do our best to schedule a timely and convenient appointment.
Please read through the steps below and don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.
New Patient Forms: Please print and fill out the New Patient Paperwork Form, the Family Risk Assessment Form and the Permission to Share Medical Information forms. Don’t forget to make yourself copies and bring them with you to your first appointment.
Insurance Coverage: Please call your insurance company to check on coverage, benefits and if a referral is needed. If you have a billing question or concern please call 908-237-4106 and select Option 5. Please bring your insurance card with you.
Imaging Results & Prior Exams: If outside of the Hunterdon Health Network, please bring any diagnostic or imaging reports (scans, X-rays, MRIs, CTs, etc.) with you to your appointment. Also, keep track of when and where tests and examinations have taken place. For instance: were you referred to us by your OB/GYN or primary care physician? What was the date of your last mammogram and where was it taken?
Questions & Concerns: Some patients find it helpful to write down their questions and concerns for the doctor prior to their appointment so they don’t forget. Also, keeping a list of signs and symptoms of a problem and how often they occur can be helpful for diagnosis.
What to Wear: Wear something comfortable and easy to change out of. You will be asked to undress and wear a patient gown.
On your first consultation with the Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center, your doctor will examine you, review your test results (images, scans, discs), and discuss recommendations and future tests and treatment plans.
Due to scheduling, biopsies are generally NOT performed in our offices on the day of consultation. If needed, your doctor will discuss biopsy scheduling at your consultation.
A breast self-exam is a check-up a woman does at home to look for changes or problems in the breast tissue. Many women feel that doing this is important to their health. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether breast self-exams are right for you.
The best time to do a monthly self-breast exam is about 3 to 5 days after your period starts. Do it at the same time every month. Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle.
If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.
Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.
Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.
Do the same with your arms raised above your head.
Your goal is to get used to the feel of your breasts. This will help you to find anything new or different. If you do, call your healthcare provider right away.
A cancer diagnosis can be one of life’s most challenging events. Your emotional, physical and financial world can be turned upside down. The Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center offers many programs and support personnel to help you navigate through this unchartered territory. Please feel free to reach out and utilize the healthcare team available to offer you emotional support and guidance to help you cope with the stresses of your diagnosis.
Please click on the links below for more information.
Patient & Caregiver Support Programs
Living with Cancer
Social Work Services
Hunterdon Hematology Oncology are blood and cancer specialists offering exceptional cancer care, exceptionally close by. In the event of a breast cancer diagnosis, Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center works closely with Hunterdon Hematology Oncology. We are fortunate to have this community-based oncology group that is dedicated to fighting cancer in our community and across the region.
A medical oncologist specializes in the use of medicines, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy to treat cancer. These medicines, usually referred to as chemotherapy, are most often given into a patient’s veins (intravenous), injected under their skin (subcutaneous), or taken by mouth in pill form.
Your medical oncologist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. Please keep in mind that everyone’s treatment plan is unique to them, so patients with the same diagnosis could receive different therapies, be on a different schedule, and experience different side effects. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor or nurse.
To learn more about Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, please click here.
Radiation oncology therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Cancer cells multiply faster than normal cells in the body. Because radiation is most harmful to quickly growing cells, radiation therapy damages cancer cells more than normal cells. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and dividing and leads to cell death.
Radiation therapy is used to fight many types of cancer. Sometimes, radiation is the only treatment needed. It may also be used in combination with other therapies such as surgery or chemotherapy to:
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center utilizes state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology coupled with individualized and compassionate care close to home.
For more information, please click here.
“Scalp cooling is a simple treatment that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. The use of scalp cooling has been proven to be effective in preventing chemotherapy induced alopecia, or hair loss, and can result in women retaining much of the hair. Some women retain all of it. For people receiving chemotherapy, scalp cooling can mean the opportunity to regain some control, ensure some privacy, and maintain a positive attitude toward treatment.” – Paxman USA
The Paxman Scalp Cooling System is currently available at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.
For more information, please visit: www.paxmanusa.com.
Only about 5% of breast cancer is genetically related. The rest is considered environmentally caused breast cancer, which includes your lifestyle choice. Those with a family history of breast cancer or previous abnormal biopsies may require close follow up with two professional clinical breast examinations every year.
All women can be diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, there are some factors that may increase a woman’s chances of getting the disease:
Even if women have one or more of these risk factors, it does not mean they will get breast cancer. Also, many women who get breast cancer do not have any risk factors. This is why screening is important for all women.
Complete breast cancer screening includes monthly self-examination, annual clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional, and annual mammography beginning at age 40.
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. It is important that any new mass, lump, or change in your breast be checked by a healthcare provider. Other possible signs of breast cancer that should be checked by a healthcare provider include: swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt), irritation or dimpling of breast skin, breast or nipple pain, nipple retraction (when the nipple turns inward), redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or skin overlying the breast, spontaneous nipple discharge other than breast milk.
Current research to date has not shown ultrasound alone to be effective for screening for breast cancer. It is useful in conjunction with mammography in diagnostic evaluation of abnormal findings.
3D mammograms, also known as tomosynthesis (i.e. “tomo”), use the same x-ray technology as regular “2D” mammograms. The procedure is the same from the patient’s point-of-view, although it will take a few seconds longer. In both 3D and 2D mammograms, the breast is compressed between two plates. In 2D mammograms, which take images only from the front and side, this may create images with overlapping breast tissue. Because 3D mammography provides images of the breast in “slices” from many different angles, finding abnormalities and determining which abnormalities seem potentially worrisome may be easier with 3D tests. Studies have shown that 3D mammograms lead to less additional testing/biopsies, and are more accurate at detecting breast cancer. 3D mammography with state-of-the-art equipment is offered at Hunterdon Women’s Imaging Center and Hunterdon Advanced Imaging at Bridgewater. To note, 3D mammography is slightly more expensive than 2D, and some insurance companies may not cover the additional cost. Contact your insurance carrier for further information regarding pricing.
Learn more about Oncology Rehabilitation Services at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.
