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Decision Time -to wait or not wait to biopsy
hi everyone. I am struggling to make a decision. History: Started HRT in mid 2023 due to horrific menopause affecting my home and work life. Have been losing weight, assumed stress related and being on Trulicity for years. (Slow weight loss over the years until this last year). Noticed changes in my “more innie than outie”…
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Insurance denial
Hi everyone, I am a 2 time survivor In 2003 I had a lumpectomy, radiation, chemo and aromatase inhibitor for 10 years. Recurrence in 2012 in same left breast and opted for masc with reconstruction ( I had lost my husband a month later so wasn’t thinking too clearly) Anyways now finally looking for symmetry. Having a…
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Disclosing diagnosis at job interview?
I am in the process of looking for a new job. I’m not sure how to address my diagnosis… 1. I need to know if they will be able to work around all of my dr appts. My current employer has been great about that, but I’ve been here for 9 yrs. 2. If they do hire me, I don’t want them to feel that I was dishonest if I don’t…
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I cant believe this - please help
My mom's psychiatrist is paying off his patient's medical debt if he sees them struggling. He was just nominated to win 10K that he is putting toward seeing patients FOR FREE and paying off the medical debt of patients that were laid off due to the pandemic. Can't believe this man's heart. you can read more about his story…
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Biomarker Testing Laws: How Are They Helping?
Biomarker Testing Laws: How Are They Helping? Float RightMediumAccessibilityDelete Jan 24, 2025 Joanna Doran explains new laws aimed at providing more comprehensive insurance coverage for biomarker testing. In cancer, biomarkers are features of the tumor, such as a genetic mutation or the presence of a certain protein.…
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Medicare Cranial Prosthesis Process / Coverage
Wondering if anyone has experience getting a wig aka "cranial prosthesis" through Medicare. My doctor tells me it has been submitted but something is keeping it from getting to Medicare. Any ideas? I keep pestering the doc admin and they keep trying, but not having any luck (since July 22). Odd because they said they can…
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Where to get financial and disability / work advice?
I am a veteran with PTSD who had a bilateral mastectomy in 2020. I have not had health insurance or care for about 3 years, since the VA is not trustworthy, and it lost my community care case referral (out to a community facility, since the VA itself lacks breast cancer resources where I was). I am also now bankrupted.…
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Referral for a lawyer familiar with ERISA law in California
I need someone to review paperwork and provide advice regarding disability benefits. So far I have been running into dead ends trying to get formal advice and find a lawyer who wants to take my case. Thanks!!!
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Lost my job...am I being selfish?
I started a new job and then was diagnosed with stage1 breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and oncoplastic reduction, and weeks of radiation still to do. My employer let me go a week after the reduction because I wasn't sure when I could return to full capacity. It's a small company. I guess I'm looking for insight and…
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Kisqali Price disparity
I am 62 years old lady newly diagnosed with mets to bone beast cancer, I lost my insurance coverage for the remaining of this year because I reached the limit, and I will have to buy the medication out of my own pocket which is very expensive. but I was wondering, if i can buy the medication from other places since the…
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Financial planning after diagnosis at 40
I was recently diagnosed at 40 with IDC, Stage IA, ER+/PR+/HER2-, Grade 2, and completed a bilateral mastectomy. I met with my MO this week and started tamoxifen, and I have a pleural effusion I’m still getting checked out (aware that that has revealed lung mets for other women, so I may not be out of the woods just yet).…
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Help regarding kisqali medication
I have an aunt suffering from breast cancer, which discovered recently , the doctor prescribed her a medicine called kisqali, the problem is the price of this medicine is very high, about 3000 dollars here in Morocco , and the financial situation of the family is very difficult, my question is Are there associations that…
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Need to reinstate my life insurance - any hope?
The reasons don't matter, but I missed making my annual premium payment on my life insurance policy - taken out in 2014, 4 years after my first dx. My policy is now lapsed. I had a recurrence in 2021 and I am terrified the company won't reinstate my policy, and that I will be uninsurable. Has anyone else dealt with…
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Does anyone have experience with Covered California marketplace?
My husband just started a new job, and we switched from COBRA from his prior employer (that had excellent insurance) to his new job. We verified coverage with the hospital and MO that I've been going to for years prior to enrolling, but are now finding that the information was not accurate…. The hospital and Dr. were…
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How many breast surgeons and plastic surgeons can I see under Medicare?
Started Medicare in August and diagnosed this January. I would like to meet with several breast surgeons and plastic surgeons before making a decision on my team. From what I read, Medicare allows you to get a second opinion and if the second and first opinion don't match you can seek a third consult. I am scared to make…
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Healthcare Red Tape Means People May Skip or Delay Cancer Treatment
Healthcare Red Tape Means People May Skip or Delay Cancer Treatment Sep 5, 2023 People diagnosed with cancer who have to do paperwork associated with paying for their care are more likely to skip or delay treatment. Read more…
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Video: Paying for Breast Cancer Care: Advice and Personal Stories
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Please give me any advice - Paying for Lupron no insurance
Hello. I am writing this from abroad. I am 44 and stage 1 Luminal B (HER2-negative) breast cancer and was diagnosed so 2 years ago. I went through a surgery, chemo for 12 weeks, and radiation therapy for 30 times. Now I am undergoing treatment with Lupron depot - 3 month 11.25mg) and Tamoxifen (10mg). I am an American but…
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Any coding/insurance experts?
I'm questioning the medical claims that my MO's office is generating, for my Zoladex injections. I have to pay coinsurance on the medication (which is now being reimbursed under a rebate, thank goodness), but I also get charged a specialist office visit copay. I checked with the insurance, and they said it's being coded as…
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Affordable Care Act/Obamacare Questions
The company I work for is going bankrupt and I won't be able to do COBRA with my current health insurance with them because the plan will be closed when the company closes. My husband's employer does not offer health insurance. I am in the process of looking for another job but we will need to have health insurance with no…
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Research News: Women From Neighborhoods That Lack Resources Have Worse Breast Cancer Survival Rates
Women From Neighborhoods That Lack Resources Have Worse Breast Cancer Survival Rates April 29, 2023 Living in a neighborhood with few resources has been linked to worse breast cancer survival. Read more…
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Did you retire before you had planned to as a result of cancer?
Many people in the workforce look forward to retiring one day, and most of us try to do our best to plan for retirement. But some of us encounter medical issues that might force us to consider an early, unplanned retirement. Did you make the decision to retire before you had planned to as a result of your breast cancer…
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BC, workplace accommodations, EEO/discrimination, etc
Many of us have encountered workplace "challenges" while confronting breast cancer. There are a number of threads on BC.org which discuss related topics. I thought it might be nice to have a thread that seeks to share press coverage of these issues on an ongoing basis. Links to "self help" resources may also be valuable.…
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Financial Problems Linked to Worse Cancer Survival
Financial Problems Linked to Worse Cancer Survival Apr 28, 2022 In the United States, people receiving breast cancer treatment had higher mortality risk when they had financial problems versus when they didn't. Read more...
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Teacher confused about work
I am an elementary school teacher. When I received my BC diagnosis in February, I continued to teach (with a couple of 1/2 days off here and there for appointments) until my surgery. It was so stressful. I wasn't sleeping and my job is not one that you can function well (with 27 kids in my care) on limited sleep. My nurse…
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Podcast: American Rescue Plan: Benefits for the BC Community
American Rescue Plan: Benefits for the Breast Cancer Community March 29, 2021 Joanna Fawzy Morales is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization providing free education on the legal and practical issues that may affect people diagnosed with cancer and their…
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Anyone ElseTerrified about Repeal of ACA Bill
Just wondering how people are coping with the constant threat to our health care coverage due to our pre-existing conditions. I've always believed that you need to take action when you're feeling stressed and threatened and this health insurance issue is driving me crazy. I have contacted my senators but both of them are…
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Help! I might lose my job because of BC
Days after informing HR that I was going to be out for some time to recover from surgery the director of my organization and the HR manager sat down with me and my supervisor to go over a formal reprimand for my excessive use of sick time. The problem is that I have not be able to accrue enough sick time over the past 3…