Can you help this reader?
A reader recently left a comment on the blog on the post Understanding A Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Hello. I have had a lump in my left breast for almost 4 months now. It didn’t grow or bother me until about 3 weeks ago. Since then it has doubled in size and another lump has formed in between my breast and armpit. I do not have insurance and have been to several ER’s that have literally told me it’s not an emergency and to see a reg doc. like I said I have no insurance and am at a loss. Can anyone give me some advice? I am very terrified and would appreciate any help. Thank you.
As I am not familiar with the US health system and therefore not sure how best to answer her comment, I am appealing to US readers to provide some advice to this distressed lady. Please leave your comments below and I will pass them on.
She needs to contact The American Cancer Society. Many states have specific programs that will cover all of the costs for diagnosing and treating breast cancer. I am also shocked that a hospital would not treat her. The ones around me would have treated her. I did not pay anything for my bilateral mastectomy, chemo, doctor bills, and other related costs for my treatment including implants.
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Hi Karen, thank you so much for taking the time to reply to the reader’s question and clarifying the situation for us all.
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Definitely check out the American Cancer Society.
Check out Komen too – there might be some links to additional resources on there. I’d also suggest checking out the state government website – in some cases, they provide information for free cancer screenings and appointments.
Best of luck.
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She just needs to keep going in until a doctor will listen. ERs are a crapshoot. Eventually someone will listen and order the tests she needs.
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Thanks Lani.
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Marie, do you know what state she lives in?
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I don’t hon..I am going to email you privately.
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My best suggestion is actually “Planned Parenthood”. This is what they specialize in. They will be able to connect her with a resource for mammogram and also to assist her in finding state funded insurance and additional resources, should she be diagnosed. http://www.plannedparenthood.org
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Oh gosh, this is a scary time and it is wonderful that the above commentators are offering help. I hope it turns out ok for this reader. DO let us know what happens.
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I will Theresa
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Komen might be able to help too, I have seen them “bend” their rules on free help – we had a 28 year old uninsured where I live and Komen got her all her treatment paid for. There is always Medicaid I would not waste one minute, your life is more important than how to pay for it- there are always ways to negotiate later on payments. I know I wrote off a lot of bills in my life so for goodness sake get it checked now please. Call Y-Me too and see if they know anyone where you live. They are on the web excellent organization.
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I agree with @Karen, on calling The American Cancer Society. I also suggest contacting a local Planned Parenthood as they offer free to very low cost health care services on a sliding scale based on individual income. Although known more for offering reproductive health services, they also offer physical health exams and referrals to health care specialists.
On related note, I’m curious if this person went to a private hospital as that it is more likely to happen at a private hospital than a public one that is supposed to take all patients. However, depending on where one lives there might not be many options as far as hospitals go.
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This is wonderful advice everyone and I am sure it will go a long way towards helping this reader. I so appreciate you all taking the time to help out here. How gratifying to witness the power of social media for good in action!
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I so agree on Marie’s last comment. It is wonderful to watch the harnessing of the power of social media to good ends in this way.
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Agreed Alison and Marie!
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I have just read an email from Anna R and I will repost the information here as it may be useful to other readers in a similar situation:
For screening and diagnosticshttp://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm For financial assistance http://cancer.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=cancer&cdn=health&tm=38&f=00&tt=46&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php
Breast Cancer Action…..they should be able to direct her where to go….. American Cancer Society Susan G Komen …..if she goes to their main website and calls their head office and also her local affiliate whose details should be listed……as they keep saying this is what they do – help uninsured women! The Pink Fund …. Financial assistance Cancer 101 list resources for breast cancer including uninsured women
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I agree on checking withACS, Komen and Planned Parenthood first. If you find you need additional financial assistance, there are several organizations that can help with medical bills for cancer and provide resources to other programs. http://www.cancerfac.org/
http://cancerlegalline.org/index.php
https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactSheetSearch8_3.aspx
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php
http://www.fifthseasonfinancial.com/
I’m so glad you reached out – there are folks here to guide you every step of the way.
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I agree on checking withACS, Komen and Planned Parenthood first. If you find you need additional financial assistance, there are several organizations that can help with medical bills for cancer and provide resources to other programs. http://www.cancerfac.org/
http://cancerlegalline.org/index.php
https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactSheetSearch8_3.aspx
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php
http://www.fifthseasonfinancial.com/
I’m so glad you reached out – there are folks here to guide you every step of the way.
Laurie
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Thank you so much and I love what you say at the end..there are so many of us out there who want to help and are so happy to get the opportunity to do so.
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Another yes on ACS, Komen and PP. Komen should have a local affiliate. Also, there are often local support groups that will help. If the writer wants to email me
katie at uneasypink dot com
I might be able to help find her a local group.
Don’t ignore this!!
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Marie, she can do a couple of things to get moving in the right direction, in addition to contacting some of the links posted previously. Her hospital should have a social services department set up to assist patients without insurance. The ER isn’t going to help. Also, her local county or state health department or social services department can, at the very least, tell her how to proceed. There’s help out there, she just needs to make a few calls.
I hope some of this helps and she gets taken care of.
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Wonderful to see how many people to this reader!
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The power of social media is so great for cases like these. I hope this person gets checked asap. Agree that ERs would not be helpful in a situation like this one. In addition to all the great suggestions, this organization might be of help: http://www.patientadvocate.org/
Marie, yes please do keep us posted if you hear anything from this person. Wishing her the best of luck!
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Individual states may have programs too…South Dakota has an All Women Count program, and I believe Minnesota has a program that offers assistance. Another resource might be to check out if there are any certified breast centers in her area and talk to either the nurse navigator or social worker. Praying she finds assistance quickly!
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