Usually I prefer light and fluffy for the blog. For my facebook. And twitter. Everyone once in awhile I vent a little, let a little steam off, but for the most part, my "battles", my honest issues, are not put out to the public eye. Except this one. Because I think it's something we can all relate to in one way or another. Even if we've never had breast cancer (or any battle with cancer for that matter) we probably know someone personally in our life who had. Or is. So here's my story with it.My mom had breast cancer at the age of 38. That's two years BEFORE the recommended age of 40 for getting a mammogram. My mom was adopted. There is no other medical history for me, than her. So the question is left hanging on whether or not this is a hereditary issue, or a random issue.
I just had my yearly with my OB-GYN, and after reviewing my cancer history that I had filled out on my chart, and the lack of history there on, he had some concerns. I'll have to admit, I was a little confused by his worries, but I trust him completely so I followed his lead. I have since done a little reading on the BRCA gene(s), but have only gotten as far as reading this website on the topic: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA. In a nutshell, this is what I understand of it, and more importantly, for this blog, what it means to me particularly. There are two genes that, if they have alterations, can lead to either breast or ovarian cancer. Usually, when a gene mutates, it has a second one. So if this gene already has a mutation, and the other one mutates, wa-lah, no back up. Cancer. The risk of those with these genes receiving cancer is high. And a sign of the gene can be that it causes cancer earlier on. Hence my mom having breast cancer at 38. That was a red flag for my doctor, and then not having any additional history... well, he's wanting to play it safe. Because, as he explained it, once he, as a doctor, detects ovarian cancer, it's already too late. It's a death sentence. Prevention is on his mind. So with my mom's history, and with the twist of the adoption and not having access to any farther history, I should be a candidate for insurance to help cover the hefty fee for the BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene. Which, for my test (it varies, I don't know why) is a whopping $3,340.00 out of pocket.
My insurance has denied coverage on this, saying they require two generations of cancer history for it to be a concern. I understand this. But our concern is... we don't have it. So my doctor is appealing.
Another method of prevention is breast MRI's. Apparently they catch more detail, quicker. And also, being young, my breasts are dense. And being thin, I don't have fat boobs and since fat is see through, and I don't have any in my boobs (is this a nice way to say I have SMALL boobs? LOL), my boobs are rather dense and can be hard to see through with a mammogram. My mom had cancer at 38, I'm now 32. My doctor doesn't want to take any chances.
Tomorrow is my first MRI. I get to do this yearly, with bi-yearly breast exams at my doctor's office. I'm not nervous or worried. I don't expect that anything will be found. I'm not even paranoid, but I feel it's a lot like flossing. Prevention now, can possibly save me a lot of pain later.
I plan on reading up more on the BRCA gene(s). I still feel I don't really have a firm grasp on this.
And maybe, just maybe, some of you might have some information that I don't know yet. Or I can share with you. That's what blogging is for, right?
So here's to prevention. And to hoping the appeal goes through to my insurance. To know, or not to know, it's a very good question.
6 comments:
Thank you for making this a topic of awareness!!!! I know red raspberry leaves are known to help stop those mutations. As well as tomatoes. For what it's worth. xoxo
I think it's ridiculous they won't cover it. So glad your doc is appealing. Let us know how it goes. Much love.
Good luck with the appeal. Insurance is so ridiculous sometimes. Thanks for spreading awareness. You are doing the right thing, being proactive, even though it can be scary to think about.
I found a lump when I was almost 37. I had a mammogram which didn't provide a concrete answer as to whether or not it was a cyst. They then did an ultrasound and determined it was an oil cyst. I blogged to all of my friends to do a breast exam which you can read here http://snyderstoriesblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/psatmi.html.
Good luck with your appeal, hope it goes thru and insurance will cover it. Hope all goes well with your MRI.
Following from the Thursday twitter hop, following on GFC too! Please stop on by and follow me at http://www.mommydigger.com and say hello :)
I have no advice or anything but I want to share something that you may not know. I've always loved your mom. She's been one of my favorite people on earth- there's something magnetizing about her which must be where you get it from! Anyway, when my dad died your mom was going through all the cancer stuff. We, as seminary council had agreed to help her sign the cards for Knightsbridge. Well, the day we had said we would help just so happened to be the day of my dad's funeral. I had made the commitment and I was going to go and help your mom. So after the funeral and the lunch I changed my clothes and got ready to head to your house. Some very rude and ignorant person (a visitor at my home) made a snarky comment to me about how I was a typical teenager, my dad was barely in the ground and I was running off with friends. What that person didn't know was that I had already said I would help, that I needed to get away and be with my friends and that I had a love for your mom and wanted to help her. That bugged me for a long time and I still remember it clearly. You know what else I remember? When your mom brought out the fake boob with the pretend tumors in it and made the boys on council feel around and find them. It was great! Anyway, I have no family history of breast cancer but had my first lump with biopsy at age 15. It's scary. It affects me and I think you are right to be diligent and proactive. Tell your mom hi for me next time she texts you, will ya?
me again.
good luck with this. i'm actually getting tested for the brca genes..when i get the guts.
my husband works for myriad genetics, the company that does these tests. i hate that they cost so much. he is a genetic biologist, who actually takes the blood samples and runs all the tests to see if you have hereditary genes for cancer.
i'm going to ask him about the tests and insurances and other such things. there has to be a way, with your mother's history, to get the test you need without having to pay thousands out of pocket for it.
again you are wonderful.
good luck.
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