Help for a friend

lisasinglem

Help for a friend

lisasinglem

I didn't know where else to pose this question.  After I was diagnosed, a friend confided in me that she has a lump in her breast that she is concerned about.  Trouble is, she has no insurance and is self-employed.  She is 42 and lives in Northern California.  I'm trying to see if there are resources out there for her to get screened or examined at low or no cost. 

I see websites raising money for "free mammograms", but none of them acutally has any information about how to GET a free mammogram.

1WonderWoman

Hi Lisa-

I am only pretty sure CA stopped free mammos for women under 50 but I do believe St. Mary's Medical Center in San Fran does free or reduced through the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  I don't know if SanFran is convenient or how far North she lives.

 I know it is a needle in a haystack to "find" the free ones but there is a plethora of donation sites..makes one wonder!
Good luck in helping your friend-

Liz

lisasinglem

Thanks Liz - She does live near San Francisco.  I'll give her this info.

dlb823

Hi, Lisa ~ Not sure if there's anything on this list of resources that was put together by another BCO member, but it's probably worth reveiwing in her situation:  

http://bb67.wikispaces.com/        Deanna

Cowgirl13

Lisa, you might try California Pacific Medical Center--The Breast Health Center.  If they don't they may be able to put you in touch with an org that does this.  Please let me know how this goes for you finding a place for her.  Thanks.  Lizzie

Cowgirl13

Lisa, I just called CPMC and they don't have free mammograms.  They gave me the 1-800-511-2300 number and just as you said they don't offer the mams for women under 50.  The 1-800-511-2300 folks did give me 2 places to check  Cancer Info @ 1-800-422-6237 or The American Breast Cancer Foundation 1-877-539-2543.

 Please let me know how this goes.  I was so fortunate that I did have insurance.

Liz 

lisasinglem

Thanks so much, Lizzie!  I put my friend in touch with the Breast Cancer Foundation, but I will tell her about the other as well.  I also found there is a place in Palo Alto called Breast Cancer Connections.  They have a fund to get mammograms specifically for women under 40, but I called them and they said that because of the new guidelines, they realize it is now creating a new loophole for women 40-50.  She said they may be able to help my friend too.

You girls are awesome!

lisasinglem

BTW - CPMC is where I go, and where I was diagnosed.  Are you there too, Lizzie?

Cowgirl13

Lisa, yes--I have had all my treatment at CPMC.  In fact, i just finished my last herceptin in July!  The care I have received there has been terrific and the staff are so kind.  My onc is Dr. Wei Wang.  Who is your onc?

Lizzie 

lisasinglem

Lizzie - I see Dr. Wang as well.  I JUST missed you, as my very first TCH was August 2.  Small world!  Actually, we have nearly the exact same diagnosis, too.  Dr. Wang said that because my tumor was exactly 2cm I was right on the cusp of stage I and II, so I decided I wanted to be Stage Ib. :-)

1WonderWoman

Lisa-

Just following up as I was just on the American Cancer Society website looking for, of all things, treadmill discounts as mine seems to be saying a slow goodbye!  In any case, if you friend puts in her zip code and goes through the pages, I have found 5 "free" mammo places it my zip code.  This is Connecticut, land of capitalism and not much else, so surely she should hit the bonanza in CA!!

Hope she found some assistance by now-

Liz