Persistent Patient Prevails Against Insurance Company
September 26th, 2011This 49-year-old woman had cancer in her left breast a few years ago, and was treated with a left lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Worried that the cancer would come back and be found too late in her dense breasts, she’d heard about breast MRI in her survivors’ support group, and decided to ask her doctor to send her for one. Her doctor agreed, and gave her a prescription for the test. But her insurance company didn’t approve it, even though her doctor ordered it.
The insurance clerk she spoke with after she was notified of the denial told her she didn’t need to have the MRI…
Read MoreHow Do I Know If I’m High Risk?
September 16th, 2011If any of the following risk factors apply to you, you might be at high risk. Talk to your doctor:
- Do you have a family history of breast cancer (both your mother and your father’s sides count!)? The highest risk is if you have a mother, sister, daughter, father, brother or son with breast cancer. But other relatives– grandparents, aunts, cousins– are important to consider as well.
- Have you had breast cancer yourself in the past? If so, you have 10x the risk of the average woman for developing a new cancer.
- Do you have dense breasts? (“What Breast Density
Six Ways to Make a Mammogram More Tolerable
September 16th, 2011By now you’ve probably seen the internet jokes that compare the mammogram experience to having your breast squashed in a refrigerator door/ automatic garage/ etc. A few years back, I joined the club of women who have our annual mammograms, and I can’t say that I disagree with the imagery of the jokes; however, the benefits of early detection FAR outweigh the discomfort (don’t you hate when doctors say that? It’s not “discomfort” or “a little pressure”— It HURTS!), so I’m willing to put up with it.
I’d like to share a few tips I’ve learned as both the doctor and…
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