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Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center
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Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center
    • About Us
    • Conditions We Treat
    • For Patients
    • Services

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For Patients

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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!

waiting room

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.

What to Expect During a Consultation

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.

Breast Self Exam image

Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.

  • Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast.
  • Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.
  • Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.
  • Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.

Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.

  • Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.
  • Also, note the shape and outline of each breast.
  • Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

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.

holding hands

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

group of doctors

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.

What is a Medical Oncologist?

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 machine

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:

  • Shrink a tumor as much as possible before surgery
  • Help prevent cancer from coming back after surgery or chemotherapy
  • Relieve symptoms caused by a tumor, such as pain, pressure, or bleeding
  • Treat cancers that cannot be removed with surgery

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.

paxman scalp cooling treatment

What is Scalp Cooling?

“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.

What Causes Breast Cancer?

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.

Who Gets Breast Cancer?

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:

  • Getting older – Most women are diagnosed when they are 50 years of age or older
  • Having a first menstrual period at a young age (younger than 12 years)
  • Starting menopause at an older age (older than 55 years)
  • Never giving birth, or giving birth to a first child after age 30
  • Not breastfeeding
  • Having had breast cancer or atypical cells on a previous breast biopsy
  • Having a close family member (parent, sibling, child) who has had breast cancer, especially at an early age
  • Having certain gene mutations, such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Drinking alcohol regularly
  • Not getting enough exercise
  • Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation to the chest area early in life
  • Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy

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.

What Does Complete Breast Cancer Screening Consist of?

Complete breast cancer screening includes monthly self-examination, annual clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional, and annual mammography beginning at age 40.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

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.

Why Isn't Ultrasound Done Alone, Instead of Mammography?

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.

What is a 3D Mammogram and is it Better Than 2D Mammogram?

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.

Useful Links

www.breastcancer.org
www.breast360.org
www.cancer.org

Learn more about Oncology Rehabilitation Services at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.

Medical Record Update Electronic Link

Please use the link below to update your medical record anytime prior to coming to our office. When you check in, the information will download into your chart for your care team to review.

Medical Record Update Link

Forms

  • New Patient Paperwork Forms
  • Family Risk Assessment Program Form (FRAP)
  • Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information
  • Permission to Share Medical Information Form

Breast Care Coordinator

Jessica Danik, BSN, RN, CBCN

Jessica Danik

I am a nurse care coordinator with Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center and I work very closely with the staff at the Hunterdon Breast Surgery Center. I am available to assist any patient with a known or suspected breast cancer diagnosis.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Villanova University in 2010 and completed my nursing externship program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2009. I also earned a Certificate in Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Administration in 2012.

Due to my interest in breast care coordination, in 2015 I became a Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN) through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. I specialize in coordinating oncology care for breast cancer patients and enjoy being an integral part of the treatment team for our patients with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Contact Us

Flemington

31 Office Center
121 Route 31 South, Suite 1200
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-237-4106
Fax: 908-968-3181

Bridgewater

Bridgewater Medical Office Building
1121 Route 22 West, Suite 204
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: 908-237-4004
Fax: 908-237-4192

Washington

Hawk Pointe Medical Office Building
6 Clubhouse Drive, Suite 201
Washington, NJ 07882
Phone: 908-237-4106
Fax: 908-968-3181

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121 Route 31 South
Suite 1200
Flemington, NJ 08822
United States

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