by Jack Lee
A few days ago I announced that I would no longer be seeking election to State office because a close family member had been diagnosed with breast cancer and I needed to focus my energy now on my family.
I was in the running as a public service, but now I want to reveal what is happening to us for the same reason. I have been asked not to mention the family member’s name who has the cancer because she is a very private person and she just doesn’t want any undue attention drawn to her. But, she knows her story could be valuable lesson for many others out here, especially if her experience prompts more women to get a breast exam, because the odds are that one in every nine women will develop breast cancer.
The best way to fight this disease is to arm yourself with as much information as you can!
Breast cancer takes many forms and mammograms don’t always reveal it. In our family situation the doctors believe this cancer could have been in the formation stage for as long as 4 to 5 years before it was finally detected. Because it was so small the routine breast exams also missed it. Our case was unusual in this respect because most breast cancers are more easily detected. So you should not minimize the value of mammograms or routine breast exams based on our experience. Also, you might think breast cancer must be slow growing if it could have been forming for up to five years, but that’s not true either, it all depends and a wide variety of circumstances. Sometimes this initial stage takes years and some it could be just months. It can languish there and then suddenly it can explode in a frenzy of reproduction, you just never know. As our doctor was to explain later, each cancer is unique to the individual and that is what makes cancer so difficult to cure.
It was just a sensitive area and not a lump that gave finally gave it away and I think this is important for you ladies to know that. The tender area was the only symptom and it was there for about two to three weeks before it became a concern. A doctor visit with an x-ray was needed to show this was a possible cancerous growth. A biopsy was then necessary to determine it was positive for a malignancy.
Following the biopsy we were advised the nature of the cancer and it was bad. This was an invasive ductal carcinoma and that means it had penetrated the gland duct wall and could be spreading. The next step was to get an MRI; however that was not available for another week. We were resigned to waiting in line until a family member in the medical field said we should sign up for a [stand by] in case there was a cancellation. We did that immediately and there was a cancellation two day later, and we saved 5 days of waiting! This was a great tip for faster service and I want you to remember it, unfortunately it didn’t come from our doctor or the MRI people.
Now the insurance part: The MRI cost $2850! I asked what it would have been if we had paid cash…same, no discount. That seemed odd. However, I learned that in most cases it is even more for cash paying patients because the insurance companies negotiate fees they are willing to pay and they are often given a lower rate. Knowing me, you had to realize I was going to ask this next question next, how much do Medical patients pay?
I was more or less asked why I need to know. She didn’t come right and say it, but it was inferred that we had insurance so who cares about cost, its free to us. Wrong, it costs us in every penny we pay for taxes and insurance. So I took a deep breath and said politely because I was just curious and the answer was a slightly terse, “Well, I really don’t know, but it’s a lot lower.” As I found out later she probably did know and it’s a whole lot lower, about $2000 lower and that is the reason why we pay so much more on our side. We (you and I) are expected to make up the difference between the unrealistically low Medical allowance and what the MRI folks expect to make in profit per each visit. So the pricey insurance premium we all pay is substantially higher because Medical doesn’t pay their fair share. Yet another reason for skyrocketing health insurance premiums.
They got us in taxes to pay for Medical and they get us again in our private insurance premium. And with every person that doesn’t pay anything, (including illegals) you and I pick up more of the slack. I think I would just as soon have Medical pay what is reasonable so the costs are up front. That way at least we could see it in the form of taxes and it would not be hidden in the cost of your insurance premiums. I bet the sudden tax hike for real Medical payments would make people a lot more aware of the costs of the pending socialized medicine the dems are pushing.
After the MRI was done a second opinion was obtained. The results from the MRI were reviewed and it showed a smaller second tumor close to the first and that was it. Finally some good news! Now it’s a matter of which course of treatment to pursue. I will discuss this part as the decisions are made.
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Now Here Are The Risk Factors:
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer, but research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop the disease.
Risk factors for breast cancer include:
Older age – Half of all women diagnosed are over age sixty-five
Early onset of menses or late menopause
Diets high in saturated fat
Older age at birth of first child or never having given birth
A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
A family history, particularly a mother or sister
Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest
Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram
Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone
Obesity
Moderate alcoholic intake – more than 2 drinks per day
Gene changes – including BRCA1, BRCA2, and others