Felicia Kehoe meets with her surgeon, Corinne Jordan, MD, at the New Ulm Breast Center.

Felicia Kehoe never planned on getting breast cancer. It came to her as a scare the day after her 26th birthday.

“I found a lump when I was doing a self-examination,” said Kehoe. “I went to the clinic and found out it was Stage 3 invasive breast cancer. It was terrifying.”

New Ulm Medical Center soon became a significant part in Kehoe’s life. With frequent visits and chemotherapy treatments, she grew familiar with the faces of the New Ulm Breast Center staff. One of those faces belongs to Corinne Jordan, MD, a general surgeon..

“We offer a full range of services at the Breast Center,” said Jordan. “Services include screenings, radiology, oncology, integrative therapies, MRI, risk assessments and surgical services.”

By offering all these quality cancer care and preventive services close to home, you can receive the care you need without having to travel long distances.

“We are able to treat our friends and neighbors with an added touch of human connection,” said Jordan. “At New Ulm Medical Center, a patient isn’t simply a number in a room; they’re a person with a face, name and story.”

Kehoe experienced this care first hand within the New Ulm Breast Center.

“They made me feel like I was never alone. They were with me every step of the way,” said Kehoe. During difficult times like these, Jordan and her staff aim to lead with sincerity and compassion.

But this small-town facility provides more than just supportive service. The staff’s experience, education and commitment mean patients get the highest level of care.

“They took such good care of me,” said Kehoe. “Everyone is so educated, and they took the time go in depth with everything.”

For Jordan, it’s important to make patients feel as comfortable as possible in their time of need. The New Ulm Breast Center goes above and beyond with simple comfort and offers services such as massage and acupuncture, all in hopes of easing symptoms or pain.

They’ve also welcomed new providers to their team, including plastic surgeon, Stephanie Peng, MD. This opens the door for breast reconstruction and cosmetic opportunities, along with a variety of other surgical options.

Be proactive

Although she wishes they could have met under different circumstances, Kehoe said she’s thankful to have these people in her life, “I don’t really have words to express my appreciation.”

Her advice to others? Do yearly mammograms and self-screenings. She highlights the importance of mothers teaching their daughters to do this when they’re older.

But what Kehoe stresses most of all, is taking action immediately, “Don’t be afraid if you find something. When it happened to me, I was so scared to go the doctors. I put it off for six months.”

Jordan echoed this message. She highlights the importance of preventive care by taking advantage of one of the New Ulm Breast Center offerings, the Risk Assessment Clinic.

“We provide screenings that will determine if a woman is at average risk for breast cancer,” said Jordan. “Through the Risk Assessment Clinic, patients are able to find out their personal risk level.”

Factors that are considered through these assessments include family history, genetic disposition, previous biopsies or exposure to radiation. These are then used to determine your risk level and provide feedback on if you should be screened more often. You can be referred for a risk assessment by your doctor or you can refer yourself.

Kehoe has been cancer free since August 2019, after her surgery performed by Jordan. Her journey through that difficult time at New Ulm Breast Center will not be forgotten. “I don’t think I could have physically or mentally gone through that without them.”

“Cancer is so scary. It doesn’t care what gender you are, how old you are, or who you are,” said Kehoe.

Is it time for your mammogram? Do you want to assess your breast cancer risk? Call the New Ulm Breast Center at 507-217-5011 and make an appointment today.