What is international breast cancer experience like?

try PubMed

Hate to start this with debate/touchy issues, but most civilized countries have universal coverage, so if you are not a resident of those countries, you don't qualify.  There are some exceptions (france maybe?) if you get hurt in the country you are in, they will look at you, but I am not positive about that.

Most insurance typical but good US insurance offers some sort of travel provision should you get injured while traveling but I don't think you can fly to a country for care and get it covered...but you could call your policy holder to verify.

I have heard that some eastern euoro countries have such great dental care and rates, that depending on what people are having done, they book a travel experience and spend a few days at the dentists and it more than makes up for the cost of flying there.  Same with some surgeries.

Unfortunately it is impossible to answer your question.  I live in Sweden and could tell you about my experience with my treamtent - but my citizenship and BC is completely different to yours and so what I could write would be irrelevant.  I also know nothing about what Sweden could offer an American.  The world is a big, big place and each country has their own medical system. Additionally, how is it even possible to describe the quality of care (for example) for a whole country.... there will always be variation between towns/centres etc .... I am sure that applies in the US too.

In terms of finding the "best centre" there is no way of knowing as what do anybody mean by "best" (best at stage IV, best at IBC, best at research, best at care, best surgeon, best onc, best equipment etc???); also the "best" centre can still have a less than best onc or care or something; likewise the "best" onc may not work in the "best" centre. 

 I don't think you will get the answers you are looking for here.  You need to clarify why you are looking outside the US (as in what specifically do you think going to another country will do for you) and speak to your own medico about who they think is the "best" for you.  Or just get on the interent and search out centres yourself and start emailing them for information.

In regard to the MRI, my insurance company never batted an eye at paying for mine.

Frankly, after my 1st MRI, I was sent for an ultrasound and again, nothing could be found so they sent me back for a second MRI within weeks so they could do a needle guided biopsy with the MRI (which found the tumor again).

I had to meet my deductible, but everything was covered after that.  I even phoned the insurance company to verify if I needed a doc rx for the MRI and nope...just go do it.

 As for the other labs, I think you would have to probably contact someone where you want your tumor rechecked and verify that where your tumor is held, that org. would be willing to ship it overseas...at your expense, no doubt.

My personal opinion is that any sort of trials or research projects, if they become successful would be offered everywhere.  I personally would not try something because it had interesting results.  Your sig. line does not indicate you are a stage 4.  If I were a stage 4, depending on where the mets were, I might be interested in riskier trials (and make no mistake, I respect and admire the people who do them knowing they may shorten their life even further, for the cause and the hope it might all work), but risky trials could do you more harm than good at this point.  Just my humble opinion.

I guess if you are determined to opt out of the US care system, your best information would be with your insurance company to see what they do pay and what they can suggest.   If you tried unconvential methods or trials, I don't know if your insurance could opt out of further coverage (probably depends on the insurance).

Admirable that you wish to further the trials/research end of this nasty disease, but be mindful when you go looking...as they say, "be careful what you wish for..."

Difficult to answer all aspects of your questions. Canada has Universal Health care for all it's citizens. Therefore, foreigners coming here specifically for care would not be eligible for treatment. There are no price lists attached to any treatment. Doctor orders it. You get it. Cost is not part of the discussion. While there is good and bad everywhere, we do have top doctors and hospitals here and get the most current and effective treatments possible. My advice is don't come to Canada for your medical needs unless you plan to come here to live as a citizen.