CancerCompass message board discussion started by Joann_97lb on 3/11/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10258,0.htm Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I had a mamogram done twice here because my previous mam was matched with the second one and a third had to be done. They found extra tissue and tell me I have to go have a  mamogram every 6 months.The pain is too much today and the ER has exausted so much running the wrong tests I have too many high bills now. I am feeling pain in my breast as well as pressure in or near my thoractic spine area. I cant afford the bill anymore and my insurance will only pay annualy. Are there any clinics I can go to that can help me? I am out of work right now...ThanksJ Joann_97lb Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT JHello, I am not sure where you are from, but I might actaully be able to help/give useful information 2 you.  I am a registered mammographer in the state of Missouri.  Our state and I am sure many others offer free mammograms, and other testing to those patients that can not afford the cost.  There are certain financial guidlines that must be met.  You could also consider just right out asking for help from a local clinic/or your primary care physician, they too will offer free services to patients in need.I am uncertain of the discription of the mammogram finding you described.  I could provide you with useful information if I knew the exact wording of the report.  I mean do you have calcifications,arcitectural distortions..ect. are they increasing in number...or are they stable? Have you had a breast ultrasound, spot compression, or magnification views? Do you have any palpable lumps or nipple discharge.  Breast pain should never be ignored, but that alone is not really an extremely worrisome symptom. I would however be interested the the reason they are following you.  I can tell you that radiologists are typically very aggressive in their recommendations for mammography.  If they suspect there is something ...they will follow it, but they do not hesitate for one second to come right out and recommend biopsy for any suspicious finding.  So the fact that they are comfortable following you at 6 month intervals is very positive. You should however always try to follow their recommnedations.Many, many women have areas of tissue in their breasts that are different than the surrounding breast tissue....but, radiologists dont always know that this is just the way you were made shall we say!!! So they follow it every 3 or 6 months  for a while if it doesn;t chage it is most likely benign..."NOT CANCER" .  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  I would be more than happy to help you/anyone in any way I can. Kim Kimbersue Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT JHello, I am not sure where you are from, but I might actaully be able to help/give useful information 2 you.  I am a registered mammographer in the state of Missouri.  Our state and I am sure many others offer free mammograms, and other testing to those patients that can not afford the cost.  There are certain financial guidlines that must be met.  You could also consider just right out asking for help from a local clinic/or your primary care physician, they too will offer free services to patients in need.I am uncertain of the discription of the mammogram finding you described.  I could provide you with useful information if I knew the exact wording of the report.  I mean do you have calcifications,arcitectural distortions..ect. are they increasing in number...or are they stable? Have you had a breast ultrasound, spot compression, or magnification views? Do you have any palpable lumps or nipple discharge.  Breast pain should never be ignored, but that alone is not really an extremely worrisome symptom. I would however be interested the the reason they are following you.  I can tell you that radiologists are typically very aggressive in their recommendations for mammography.  If they suspect there is something ...they will follow it, but they do not hesitate for one second to come right out and recommend biopsy for any suspicious finding.  So the fact that they are comfortable following you at 6 month intervals is very positive. You should however always try to follow their recommnedations.Many, many women have areas of tissue in their breasts that are different than the surrounding breast tissue....but, radiologists dont always know that this is just the way you were made shall we say!!! So they follow it every 3 or 6 months  for a while if it doesn;t chage it is most likely benign..."NOT CANCER" .  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  I would be more than happy to help you/anyone in any way I can. Kim Kimbersue Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Oops 1 more thing, you said your insurance will only pay annually.  You need to check with them about that. I have never heard of an insurance company that will only pay for yearly (screening) mammograms.  Any 6 month follow up you have or if you are having a problem such as pain, it will be billed as a (diagnostic) mammogram. So you need to ask them  about that. They really should pay for that I would think.  You would of course have to meet your deductable/and pay your 20% or what ever your insurance is.Kim Kimbersue Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT If you are in Illinois,here is a link:www.illinoishealthywomen.comIf not,maybe you can search the website or call the number for your state.Good luck!N. Noreneol Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT