Michelle’s Place expands breast health services to Fallbrook

TEMECULA – Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center is excited to announce the expansion of their breast health services to Fallbrook. Thanks to a grant from the Fallbrook Healthcare District, Michelle's Place will now provide diagnostic breast health services to residents of Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow.

Michelle’s Place currently provides resources to women in Fallbrook through the Resource Center, which consists of free wigs, bras, prosthesis, support groups, haircuts, etc., but now women are able to receive diagnostic services as well through the Breast Health Assistance program that had previously been offered to residents of Riverside County only. The center is located at 27645 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 117, Temecula.

“We are thrilled to add this service to more women in need. I am in the process of making connections with the medical resources in Fallbrook, but until then, we will continue sending clients in need to the Breast Center of Temecula for their imaging,” said Kim Goodnough, executive director of Michelle’s Place. “Thank you Fallbrook Healthcare District for your support!”

The Breast Health Assistance (BHA) program provides access to free or low-cost diagnostic breast health services to eligible women. Since breast cancer is generally treated on an outpatient basis, clients are often in need of direction during the treatment process and benefit greatly from outpatient care coordination services.

BHA provides each client a patient navigator who will act as a personal coordinator throughout participation in the program. The patient navigator's mission is to interact with the client and the provider team to coordinate client care.

The BHA program is a component of the detection services offered at Michelle’s Place and includes:

• Education on breast cancer prevention, early detection, the disease process, and treatment.

• Patient navigation assistance through the process – anything from lending a listening ear, modalities and psychosocial issues, and medical coordination services to provide free wigs, prosthesis, and other comfort items a woman might need.

• Access and referrals to community resources.
• Basic needs resources including financial assistance, in-home services and meals.

To qualify for enrollment in the Breast Health Assistance program, each candidate needs to be assessed to determine the best source for assistance needed.

Anyone who feels they are in need of the Breast Health Assistance program can contact Michelle’s Place at (951) 699-5455 or visit www.michellesplace.org.