U.S. mammography centers now must notify women if they have dense breasts. But unfortunately not all insurance plans will pay for the ultrasound or MRI tests leading groups recommend. Here’s a good summary: https://www-scientificamerican-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-the-fda-ruling-about-dense-breasts-means-for-cancer-risk-and-screening/?amp=true
All posts by bcsurgery
Breast Cancer Costs Linger As Medicare Falls Short
A six-month investigation has found that far too many older women with breast cancer endure stress and large debts because their Medicare plans don’t cover some of their care. Here’s the link to this exclusive report:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2023/03/30/breast-cancer-costs-older-women-medicare-shortfall/70034195007
Help me find women 65+ with financial problems from breast cancer care
I’m asking for your help reaching women with breast cancer 65 or older with financial problems for their treatment. I have received a national journalism fellowship grant from 3 non-profits to do the work. Please share so I can find women, or their families who have struggled to pay for care or asked their families for financial support because they have no insurance or slim policies with high out-of-pocket costs. Story will be published in the spring. Contact panstett47@gmail.com
Insurance Questions: Does my plan pay for this?
Black Women Still Die More From Breast Cancer, Compared to White Women
Women Still Seek Good Breast Surgery Information
Ten years ago, surveys found more than half of women said they wanted more information about their breast surgery choices. A new survey shows progress has been made. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221017/Survey-measures-common-myths-and-misconceptions-about-breast-reconstruction-surgery.aspx?fbclid=IwAR35UaIo-v2WX3k0Cst_f2UCYLvbxdHiStF9PtbtvnxTAp_tAzOKugPooJA
Comfortable Bra for Breast Cancer Patients, Others
Tamika Mayes has developed a comfortable bra _ both those who have undergone breast surgery and others who just want a comfortable undergarment.
Mayes, of Detroit, designed the seamless bra for her mother-in-law, Celeste Hinds, of Southfield, who found most bras uncomfortable after she underwent radiation for breast cancer.
Mayes learned how to sew, bought a machine and set out to make a unique, seamless comfortable garment for breast cancer patients who find the stitching in many products just to irritating to their skin, both after surgery or radiation or for years afterwards.
Her product, Reyz, is a wire-free bra made of 12 % spandex lycra and 88% microfiber nylon.
It is $55 and comes in black or nude colors and sizes small/medium; medium/large; large/extra-large; and extra-large/2X.
Though Mayes designed the bra for breast cancer patients, she has found that other women like it because it doesn’t ride up, as many soft bras do. “Any woman can wear it,” said Mayes. “Women with heavy breasts say, this is so comfortable.”
I have searched for years for a comfortable wireless bra that doesn’t ride up. I bought one of Mayes’ bras, which arrived quickly in the mail in a beautifully packaged box. I recommend it for its comfort and wearability.
Mayes has teamed up with a U.S. company to make the first 1,000 bras. Women can order the product on line, getreyz.com, or at some of the pop-up stores Mayes plans to hold in the year ahead.
She also plans to make other products, including a bra with a pocket to hold a prothesis as well as larger sizes. She is open to other suggestions.
There’s Hope for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Vern Davis Anthony, former chief of Michigan’s public health department, continues to live in 2021 with metastatic breast cancer. Here’s her story, as told in an earlier interview.
Heart Disease and Breast Cancer: The Under-Appreciated Risk
Breast cancer survivors are at risk of heart disease because of the side effects of chemo and radiation. The take-home message from this study is to live a heart-healthy life with diet and exercise to avoid heart disease.
A new study shows the risk of heart disease and breast cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors.