Cancer Patients, Lost in a Maze of Uneven Care NYT

This was a really interesting article. The summer I was dx I received a call from a childhood friend who is now and oncologist. His dad had just passed away from cancer and he wanted to make sure I wasn't just a number when it came to my care. His dad had been with the local university hospital - and excellent one - for about 30 years. He golfed with his doctor - still he couldn't get the guy to return his calls. My PCP wanted to send me to some fly-by-night surgeon. My Mom sent me to her gyno who sent me to a surgeon he recommended. I chose to go to a cancer center instead of a hospital. I have never ever been a "number" and I think I've had really aggressive and thorough treatment.

It is so important to be your own advocate when you are dealing with any disease. If you think you're not getting adequate treatment, fight for the BEST!

Hugs
Erica

Very good article. That is why I love these boards so much. We talk to each other about our treatment, we read articles and stay up to date on the latest treatments. I have received all of my care at Johns Hopkins and even though I know they are one of the top cancer hospitals in the country I still have questioned some of their recommendations. One of the good things about being a patient at Hopkins is that I have felt like one of the members of my team. They listen to my concerns and have never questioned my decisions even if it was not what they initially recommended. I strongly believe in multidisciplinary care where all of your doctors are part of a team and communicate with each other. Thanks, Susie for posting the article.

Scary stuff. I get the NYT in my email every day and read it this morning. It's clear message...if you've got enough drive AND enough money, you'll have your best shot at 'curing' your cancer. That's just so pathetic for a country of our stature.

Marin

oops sorry ,.... I didn't see it here before I posted it to the Hormone Therapy thread. oh well , good stuff whereever.

Interesting article. Thanks for posting about it.

I live in a rural area and went to a middling sized city teaching hospital's breast center for my care. I started at a local surgeon's and he wanted to do a surgical biopsy - if I'd done that I would have ended out with an extra surgery. I feel that I had excellent care at both the breast center and at the more local community hospital (owned by the "big house" where the breast center is) where I had my chemo. I never felt that decisions were made based on my money (I had medicaid) - in fact the hospital "ate" the cost of the Neupogen.