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I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer 1 1/2 years ago after a routine mammography. Because of my family history, I chose to have a bilateral masectomy and reconstruction. I might not have scheduled the exam since I had been in a trial program a few years ago & was offered a drug proven to prevent breast cancer when the trial was finished. I took this drug for five years and believe that perhaps for me, this delayed my cancer rather than preventing it. I also know two women who were diagnosed within the last year with breast cancer found on a routine mammogram. I believe routine screening saves lives and at the very least, provides early detection.
I am fortunate. I have insurance and I get annual mammograms. However, the women who are uninsured are now out of luck – money. The BCCEDP has no money and is doing no screenings for uninsured women. These women are aware of the problem and of the advantages of getting screened.
Who sets the BCCEDP budget??? Has it increase/decreased in the past fiscal year?? Screening and early detection are so very much more economical than treating cancer in later stages. Lets get back to early screenings.
Thanks,
Deanna R. Lehl ARNP
Mammograms definately save lives … I went for my first mammogram when I was 40 and was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had tiny microcalcifications that would not have been detected without a mammo. It so important to have regular screenings starting at age 40!
My mammotive is that it is great to encourage this screening, but I also want to see a focus on prevention writ large. Mammos discover early cancers. I thing we need to think mor than we do to preventing cancer before it appears in a mammo, no matter how tiny.
The public information about whether or not to get annual mamograms is not consistent. My sister had one and got a false positive. She had an area of her breast removed that did not heal well at all and required months of care, and even assistance from a home health aide. She was in her mid-40s at the time.
So sorry about your sister’s experience! I can’t imagine how frustrating and awful it must have been for her to go through all that.
It’s true that different organizations have different recommendations for screenings. What sources do you look to for information? Who do you trust?
I was divorced in 1998 at 46 years of age. I had a monogram under my insurance while I was still married. There were no problems. I had to find health insurance on the open market after my divorce. It was expensive, nothing was included for wellness checks and there was a very high deductible. Finally in 2001 I had to drop the insurance completely. In 2004 a friend who went for a mamogram saw an information sheet for free mamograms through a program called “Healthy Linn Women”. Knowing that I did not have insurance she encouraged me to check into this program. I did. I scheduled a mamogram.
The mamogram showed a possible problem and a biopsy was suggested. I scheduled the biopsy knowing that I would have to pay for it if nothing was found and that “Healthy Linn Women” would help with the cost if cancer was found. I had no family history of breast cancer and I had already had 2 mamograms (one at 40 years old and one a few years later). I seriously thought about just leaving it at that. I finally decided to have the biopsy. Professionals and friends alike said that it was probably nothing. Following the biopsy I had an appointment to meet with the surgeon. I casually went to the appointment by myself, only to hear the stunning news that I had breast cancer. It was in the early stages. I had surgery, radiation and chemotherapy starting in November of 2004. I have done so well and am now 7 years out.
I feel I owe my life to a good friend and a good program. I was not burdened with a financial disaster and I am healthy. What amazes me is the reaction I get when I encourage others to have a mamogram. Too many women (with & without insurance) seem to still take this disease too lightly and to assume that it won’t happen to them.