About 'Time to Be Seen'
Content based on personal investigation and shared for informational use and public education.
Never disregard professional medical advice -- or delay in seeking it -- because of something you have read on this website.
Embedded Files
Sharing a Clue!
Sharing a Clue!
In 2018, I was shocked my regular ‘standard of care' mammogram didn't ‘catch’ the second most common breast cancer for 10-12 years. What could have been an early catch at stage 0 or 1, was eventually found later at stage 3, with a less than 25% survival rate even after treatment and surgery.
NOT fun.
In addition, it turns out mammograms routinely miss the MOST common breast cancer early in dense breasts.
I would have paid 'out-of-pocket' -- for the decade or so my cancer was growing and for the 25 years total I was getting a screening mammogram -- to find the top two breast cancers in my dense breasts EARLY...
IF I had been given a clue!
Since 2019, I have been working so others have information and tools that I did not. AB-MRI's are becoming more accessible, affordable and recognized (CPT 77049-52), but they frequently aren't offered (or even mentioned).
You are your own best advocate. Be that ornery patient medical professionals dread! Ask your provider about AB-MRI, and if your provider does not offer or understand AB-MRI, insist on a referral to a provider that does.
The list of clinics that do offer AB-MRI is the main star of this web site! Advocate for yourself and others for the best of care, not just standard of care. And pass the info along to anyone in your life who has breasts.
Scroll down for a BUNCH of clues for YOU.
OUT OF A HUNDRED WOMEN Who Have Regular Mammograms:
Twelve - thirteen will be diagnosed with breast cancer (1-2 out of 8)
Four to six of them will be diagnosed with breast cancer early. (YAY!).
Six to seven of them will be diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage (five with dense breasts plus one/two with lobular cancer).
50/50 chance (OR LESS) of early detection with mammograms?... DISAPPOINTING!
RESOURCES:
RESOURCES:
RESEARCH -- for Dense Breast and Lobular Breast Cancer Screening
PHONE and LINKS -- to schedule an AB-MRI screening based on state (not all states have clinics that offer AB-MRI, but hopefully you are in or close to one that does)
TOOLS -- to educate yourself, your doctor, and your community. YOU can take part in an "Empower Action" through Time To Be Seen, or print out the PDF s supplied. Consider a campaign of "Got Breasts? Get an MRI! " and spread the clues.
OPTIONS -- Turns out, when you go to your doctor, there is a good chance s/he is telling you all your insurance options. Not all your medical options. INSIST on MEDICAL OPTIONS FROM MDs!
INFORMATION -- Breast MRI’s have been clinically proven the most effective option for all early breast cancer screening for the top two breast cancers -- for decades. This is information a patient NEEDS to make an informed decision. Whether to push for coverage or to simply pay out-of-pocket. There are full breast MRI’s (national self-pay average $1200) or abbreviated, 'Mini', or 'Fast' MRI’s (AB-MRI national self-pay average $300).
CHOICE -- YOU can choose to set aside the money in your budget for every year ($100 per month full, $30 per month abbreviated), every other year ($50/month full, $15/month abbreviated), and so on. Minimum time span between Abbreviated MRIs is every three years ($10 per month).
It is TIME TO BE 'SEEN'
Best,
Elsie
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse