Hello friends and family!
I hope that you are all enjoying the fall thus far. I have news that I would like to share: With excitement and pride, I am thrilled to announce the opening of my new private practice, “In Your Breast Interest, PLLC”
In Your Breast Interest is a telehealth education practice providing customized and patient-centered education focused on breast health, breast cancer prevention and screening recommendations to patients of all ages, identities and backgrounds.
Prior to going live with the practice, I was hoping to meet with a few people to do 1 on 1 dry runs for these appointments. It would help me tremendously if I could get feedback on everything from the ease of meeting, to technical issues, information delivery as well as suggestions on what could be included or left out. This consultation would be completely free to you and it would not need to go through your insurance. Let me know if you are interested!
Autumn is a busy season for folks and I realize time is a precious commodity. If volunteering to do this is too cumbersome at the moment, please know that I completely understand! There is no need to reply to this if that is the case. I am only able to meet with people located in Massachusetts at the moment.
With loving thanks,
Nora
More information regarding my background and the practice is provided below:
I have spent my career as a surgical oncology nurse practitioner collaborating with surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists to take care of breast cancer patients in a holistic, patient-centered way. Additionally, in my own hospital-based clinic I treated dozens of patients every week with non-cancerous breast health conditions. In short, I have a lot of experience in teaching patients about breast cancer, as well as emotionally supporting them along their journey. Earlier this year, I became a Certified Breast Care Nurse, as conferred by the Oncology Nursing Society.
Over the years, my patients have frequently voiced the following concerns: “I don’t know if I’m doing a breast exam correctly.” “I am anxious about my risk for breast cancer.” “I don’t fully understand my mammogram report.” These concerns are shared across populations, ages, backgrounds, economic status and gender. In addition to providing answers to these concerns, my new practice will focus on teaching people what they need to know about breast health BEFORE developing a breast concern, including how to approach visits with a surgeon or in a breast health clinic.
There is data to suggest that when people have breast health coaching, they are more adherent to mammographic screening and are quicker to report any new concerns and/or symptoms to their healthcare providers. When cancer is caught early, patients have better outcomes. My novel approach to this is to provide the coaching directly to patients via a telehealth appointment at a variety of times during the week for convenience and privacy. The telehealth meetings will be using a HIPAA-approved telehealth platform. For the time being, I will be accepting private pay patients only, and not billing through insurance, however my fee is commensurate with a specialist co-pay.
My new practice is a continuation of much of my previous work as a nurse practitioner, with one exception: I will be meeting with patients for educational purposes rather than to treat or evaluate a new breast problem or symptom. This means that I will not order or arrange labs or tests, and if people report new symptoms to me I will instruct them to follow up with their OB GYN or PCP for a physical exam and radiologic evaluation if deemed necessary by the provider performing their exam.
This appointment is not appropriate if you are seeking evaluation for any new breast symptoms or changes. These include but are not limited to: skin changes, skin thickening, skin color or texture changes, nipple discharge, inverted nipples, lumps, bumps, pain or swelling. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I recommend that you undergo a physical exam and/or breast imaging with a licensed healthcare provider (NP, Midwife, PA, MD, DO) without delay.