Mammograms

emanresu

The first time I had IDC the tumor was sticking out the side of my right breast. To the Dr.s I was fine because there was no image of a tumor on the mammograpy. And was not visible at all on an ultra-sound. Thanks to my guardian angel I went to another Rad. Onc. and she told me to have a biopsy. Cancer.

The second time in 2003 eleven years later another tumor in the opposite breast: Invisible on mammogram, nonpalpable, just hurt so the tech advised an ultra sound, God Bless her. A tumor visible on ultra sound but even with a J-wire through the tumor not visible on a mammogram.

Now I have to fight with to get an MRI. Had to appear before "a court" of insurance people.

Not all mammograms can detect a tumor.

Deirdre1

Yup.. keep fighting in todays world you have to fight for everything in insurance.. not only do ALL mammograms not detect cancer but there is a small risk associated with them (exposure to radiation) I know it's small, but over a lifetime I'm not taking any more risks.  Write a letter to them and send a copy to you Congressman/women..  I never even heard back from the Congresswomen before the insurance company changed their minds and paid for a PET scan and that is something like 3X the cost of an MRI.  By the time the Congresswomen's office called back the insurance company had agreed to pay..  Good luck you now know what works for your body  - fight for it!  Good luck!!!

PS just for texture, I had a genetic counselor recommend an MRI and BRCA 1/2 because of family history - even though ALL of my mamo's had come back negative - I did the MRI more to address my daughter's need (in the future) than feeling it was necessary.. After the MRI came back with a leasion my first bs was so surprised he sent me back for a digital mamo, and a sonnogram all were negative - only the MRI showed anything all the other reports were clean.

emanresu

Hi, I will have to keep fighting forever I think. I took the Braca 1/2 test and came out negative. Did that for my daughter. Her insurance company will NOT pay for a MRI because she has no other siblings that had breast cancer. She is my ONLY DAUGHTER, how could she have siblings that are female. But that is one of their criteria for a MRI. So that knocks her out of an MRI. Who thinks-up these criteria, with my history she deserves to have an MRI!. This is BCBS insurance and they are ruthless about giving NOT paying for an MRI for breast cancer. I have heard of other insurance companies who are not stingie with MRI's for detecting breast cancer. God Bless them for saving lives. MG

Deirdre1

Emanresu:  Did you get the BRCA 1/2 through a genetic counselor?  If so it was my genetic counselor who not only recommended an MRI to me but also to any of my children because of the high amount of cancer in the family.  I just sent off a copy of the genetic mapping to my daughter and she could get her insurance to cover on-going MRI (for her it is more like every 3-5 years follow-up rather than my recommended every year MRI)..  also that she had a mother that has it well that also puts her in a higher classification.. it really was the genetic map, and a copy of my biopsy that got her company to accept MRI for bc.  My genetic counselor also gave me a copy of the medicare protocol (their's is the hardest requirements - if it is being done on a Medicare level it has already become "normal" in the general population) and they are now giving MRI for this type of situation to everyone who fits my daughters situation.  But remember I had to fight it - paid for it up front then sent letter along with a copy of my genetic map as well as the medicare protocol AND (this is probably the important piece) I noted on that letter that I cc'ed my congresswomen... They not only paid but it (my approach) changed their protocol, so perhaps it time that BCBS insurance was changed by you and your daughter - good luck!!!!!  Best

emanresu

to Deidre 1  asks,

Did you get the BRCA 1/2 through a genetic counselor?

 Yes, and you bring up excellent points. About getting the records of that interview into my daughters hands. It seems so far in my case the bc is mostly on my father's side of the family. Not a lot but some. I am going to send her your email, okay? Thanks. MG

Deirdre1

Well, my dad died from bc and there wasn't anyone else in the family (except now me) who had it.. that's where the medicare report came in handy - even medicare is now testing if you have a FATHER who has either the dx or high risk.  My high risk came from all the other cancers in the family.   So good luck and I hope everything turns out OK!  Best

P.S.: And oh yes it's fine to send her my e-mail - Best