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When diagnosing breast cancer in a patient, her first thought is not always about health, but rather about getting sick.
The treatment can cost thousands of dollars depending on the insurance coverage – there is time to get away from work and often go to doctor's appointments. In her lifetime, one in eight women in the United States faces a diagnosis of breast cancer, and support organizations for patients and survivors continue to develop.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and across the North, organizations, municipalities and hospitals are hanging pink ribbons and stimulating conversation to make treatment and care affordable.
Helen W. Wood, 46, currently in remission, found a lump on her right breast last year. After being examined at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, her fear was confirmed – she had stage 3 breast cancer.
"The doctor told me that I had to start thinking about a double mastectomy and chemotherapy," said Ms. Wood from Ogdensburg.
With her 54 weeks of chemotherapy too intense for her to behave herself, her daughter would drive her to Rochester for treatment, forcing both of them to work much less than they were used to. Still, Ms. Wood said she had to work in the hair salon that she owned at least a few days a week to cheer her up.
"I really wanted to work through that to stay myself," she told me.
Since both family members were barely working, Ms. Wood said she was financially nervous.
At first, she said that she had gone to the Department of Social Services to seek financial assistance, but she had been told that she should stop working altogether to earn more money. l & # 39; money. It was not until she found the Governor for Breast Cancer that Ms. Wood said she had hope.
Terry A. Pistolesi, a board member of the Governor's Breast Cancer Fund, said the Cancer Fund is helping more by making payments outside of the hospital ward.
"Our main goal is to help the patient so that he does not have to make the following financial decision:" Will I feed my children or should I pay for my prescription? "Ms. Pistolesi said.
Patients and their providers fill out a request for support from the organization and, once received, Ms. Pistolesi stated that the fund is sending the person $ 500 to use to cover the cost of transportation. Thereafter, the organization determines what other financial assistance the patient needs. Patients with breast cancer in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties are all eligible to apply, and the funding comes entirely from a fundraiser.
Mortgage payments, rent and groceries are some of the things Ms. Pistolesi mentioned and the fund helped.
"I would send them all my monthly bills – car payment, utilities and benefits in terms of gas, food and help with traveling expenses," said Ms. Wood. "I would have lost everything without them."
Ms. Pistolesi stated that Ms. Wood's scenario was current and that the organization would go beyond the usual expenses if necessary.
"A woman called us one day and she was in tears," she said. "She was a single mother who could not qualify for a disability and she had nothing to feed her son. She added that she needed a few days of food because her food coupons are getting ready soon. I never felt so helpless … but we called the Price Chopper in his town and they had a $ 250 gift card waiting. "
She also said that the organization had bought a new tire from a woman so that she could pass the inspection and pay for a family's heat for a whole winter.
Apart from their own facilities, the organization supports all cancer centers in four county areas and Syracuse. Some of this support consists of gift bags given to patients after treatment, containing the phone numbers of services and a manual containing detailed information on breast cancer, from diagnosis to remission.
Ms. Pistolesi indicated that she was always willing to help, but that other programs in the area were primarily dedicated to this.
One of these programs is Cancer Services of the North Country, with offices in the counties of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis, subcontracted through Oswego Community Opportunities.
Mainly funded by the New York State Department of Health, it helps people to undergo both screening and treatment for several forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
Jodi L. Regan, coordinator of the St. Lawrence County Cancer Control Program, said the program offers free breast cancer screening to uninsured and underinsured 40 to 64 year olds. This includes a clinical breast examination with a health care provider and a mammogram, as well as diagnostic tests if it is possible that screening results can be used to diagnose cancer.
"After a positive test result, we are trained to help enroll them in a special New York State health insurance program for people with breast, colon or prostate cancer," he said. said Ms. Regan. "We do not just say" see you later "; we have a plan. "
Because the program is funded by the state, it is necessary to follow the guidelines of the state. For men and women under 40, the organization can use the small private funds received to help clients get a free mammogram. Ms. Regan said that if the testing proved positive, the organization could ask the state to use state funding for further treatment of the patient.
In addition, Ms. Regan said the organization usually offers special services to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the state has recently combined several county cancer programs, in part more to switch to a new grant.
"We are combining everything, so we have not been able to switch to the deals we usually have this month," she said.
Ms. Regan stated that they usually offered a "one-stop shop" in local hospitals where, once a week, hours were extended and clinical screening and mammograms were done on the same day. Sometimes, she says, a provider will also offer vaginal smears.
Carolyn D. Handville, coordinator of the country's northern cancer services at OCO, said that, in addition to not having special programs, it makes the transition as "seamless as possible" for patients.
Ms. Handville said she understood how important it was to have these state-funded programs for patients.
"People who are not insured do not undergo these screenings," Handville said. "Having to choose between a roof over my head and a screening, I think most people would choose to put their own health aside."
Fact 1: About 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. By 2018, approximately 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer should be diagnosed in women. A woman's risk of breast cancer almost doubles if she has a first-degree relative – mother, daughter, sister – who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member diagnosed.
Alternatively, about one in 1,000 Americans will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. By 2018, approximately 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer should be diagnosed in men.
Fact 2: On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 2 minutes. A woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes. More than 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are still alive in the United States.
Fact 3: How to perform a self-examination:
Step 1 – Look at your breasts in a mirror. Arms at your side. Check the size, shape and color of your breasts. See a doctor if you see wrinkling skin, such as orange peel, wrinkling or swelling, or if you notice redness, rash, swelling, or if your nipples have changed position.
Step 2 – Raise your arms and look for the same things as Step 1.
Step 3 – Squeeze your nipples and look for traces of liquid that does not come out of the milk. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in step 1.
Step 4 – Lay down. Using your right hand, feel your left chest with your left hand behind your head. Apply a firm touch in a circular motion around the left breast. Do this for the whole breast. Repeat with the left hand and the right breast.
Step 5 – Sit down or stand up and repeat the movement from Step 4.
Step 5 – Repeat each month, ideally at the same time each month. Experts recommend doing it a few days after your period, when your breasts are not particularly sensitive.
* Credit for all facts goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation *
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