<p>Any one have any connections to low cost mammograms for those with no/lousy insurance? I am looking for a link like that for a friend, but no luck yet.</p>
<p>Many states have such programs to provide mammograms at no or low cost. In which state is your friend?</p>
<p>Also, “Q: How can women get low-cost or free mammograms?
A: For information on low- or no cost mammography screening, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (888) 842-6355 or visit their Web site. Women seeking mammograms at a reduced rate are urged to make their appointment early in the year, as space may be limited. To find a breast-imaging facility, contact the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.” - from <a href=“NBCAM.COM”>NBCAM.COM;
<p>lspf - you may ask your doc about a scintimammogram next time. Very reliable for determining if assymetry is something of concern. Imho, high risk patients should go directly to breast MRI (special kind of MRI). But for non-high risk patients, rather than have repeated mammograms and sonograms, just ask for a scinti. My mom’s regular mammograms revealed mild assymetry, but the scinti told the true story which was confirmed by biopsy. Of course, not all hospitals or clinics have the machines, but if you are in a large city there should be some place to get this done.</p>
<p>somemom - Coincidentally, I just sent a $90 donation to a national organization that provides free mammograms to women. I’ll pull my bill file and get the exact name and post it in a few.</p>
<p>Thanks, IdMom–
For the past three years now, I’ve been called back for additional mammograms or sonograms because of one concern or another. There has to be a better way. Had never heard of a scintimammogram-- will ask my doctor. Thanks!</p>
<p>You’re welcome lspf. I’ve had funky mammograms and it’s so stressful to be called back repeatedly. Anything that cuts through the constant testing and waiting helps. In fact from now on, I’ll probably be asking for breast MRIs.</p>
<p>somemom - Here is the website for the organization that provides mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women. (As well as other services.) I’d never heard of it before they contacted me for a donation…but it seems like a good group. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.abcf.org/[/url]”>http://www.abcf.org/</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://abcf.org/pdf/ABCF%20Newsletter%20Vol%209.pdf[/url]”>http://abcf.org/pdf/ABCF%20Newsletter%20Vol%209.pdf</a></p>
<p>My younger sister is 42 and just finished up chemo and radiation (following lumpectomy) for invasive lobular carcinoma. There is no other breast cancer in our family. I am 49. Does that make me high risk in terms of qualifying for an MRI instead of mammogram? Will insurance companies generally even pay for an MRI?</p>
<p>timely - I haven’t yet gone down the route of actually getting a breast MRI yet…but I would think if a doc wrote the orders in a way that justifies the MRI, insurance would pay. Crucial to get a cooperative doctor I would think. I have a good doctor and I know he would make sure it happened. Are you in the same city or town as your sis? If so, I would use her doctor and get him to write the orders.</p>
<p>And I believe your risk is doubled by having a first tier relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer even though no prior history. That is what the doctors told my sister and me after my mom was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma.</p>
<p>I have a friend who requires regular ultrasounds with needle biopsies. So far everything is fine. She gets this done regularly and it is covered under her insurance plan.</p>
<p>I had a mammogram just today, in fact. It was nice going in on a Saturday because there was plenty of parking and I got in right away. However, there’s no radiologist there on Saturdays, so they won’t read my films until early this week.</p>
<p>All of us who had them done on Tuesday received the written report from the radiologist on Friday, and, fortunately, none of us received bad news.</p>
<p>The last few times I have had a mammogram, the breast center where I go has offered a pad that cushions your breast and takes away most of the discomfort. It looks like a mousepad, and sits on the equipent under your breast. I highly recommend using it if it as option. I pay $3 extra for it, but it removes most of my stress because it removes the pain I used to experience. It is called Woman’s Touch MammoPad. Ask for it if you have sensitive tissue. From what they told me, it does not affect the image at all.</p>
<p>Just remember that mammograms won’t catch everything. My mom had a rare type of breast cancer (Inflammatory BC) and her’s didn’t show up on a mammogram because it was within her lympnodes, instead of being a lump in her breast tissue. So, as her doctor told her, know your boobs, very well. She found her cancer simply because she was laying in bed one night and noticed something different that appeared to be very harmless/natural. She knew it wasn’t right though, went to her doctor, and was diagnosed in a week.</p>