Before You Donate
Think very seriously before donating to any breastcancer organization, or fundraising program until you read their Annual Report to see who their top contributors are, and if they have a product that appears frequently in the message the organization sends to the public. That would be unethical and its illegal. The same applies to a request that the public buys products, but does not receive a "donor receipt" for tax-deductible purpose. Read any and all food labels that breastcancer "non-profits" are promoting to raise money. Some organizations tell the public to help them raise money by asking you to visit their websites, but that only gives them "hits" to increase their sponsors.
Another tip, "signing" an online Petition is not acceptable, so don't fall for such antics. An ethical non-profit, or professional will not request your visit to their website, nor use "cookies" placed on your computer when you visit their site.
Purchase the Breastcancer Postage Stamp, the Post Office will always give you your charitable deduction receipt. Its a valid form of fund raising.
Basic Fundamentals & Precautions
Every physician and nurse may act as a conduit for healing, in all the forms that it takes, and must evidence sincere caring.
Trust in those who care for us is critical to our healing. If we could not imagine accepting them as friends, or we genuinely feel that there is no truth, control, or caring we won't progress optimally (honestly, there are a lot of physicians who care very much).
All women can be assertive and confident health care consumers, must advocate for each other, and must be given the truth about all procedures.
Always be certain that your physician knows that you have a Medical Power of Attorney, and Living Will (your hospital usually keeps a copy in your records), and specifically identify whom they may speak with about your case!
Every breast cancer patient has a right to know the type of cells that are in her breast, node examination if appropriate, and the most current pathology staining techniques possible (right now cyto-keratin staining) to identify micro metastasis.
Every patient must know that their own pathology materials and slides are kept in the most secure manner, interpreted competently, have second and third opinions if desired, and if not, hold the institution legally responsible for loss, or misreading. Patients may take ownership of their pathology slides and tissue blocks if they choose.
Every patient has the right to be fully informed by radiologists AND plastic surgeons of the potential obstacles and risks of reconstruction and reductions to future mammography and scans in the detection of new tumors, calcifications, or suspicious areas.
Every plastic surgeon must clearly inform women of the inherent risks referred to above as well as the cost of reconstruction (even though insurance companies have now given in to pay for this surgery), the additional time under anesthesia, considering the patient is already ill with cancer, and the fact that reconstruction just begins with the first surgical technique. It is recommended by top plastic surgeons that women wait two years before they undertake reconstruction.
Women are under-estimated and often viewed as more concerned about their physical appearance than assisted with the psychological impact of the many losses breast cancer brings to her, betrayal by not being fully informed by their physicians, and the time lost out of their lives in this war against an invading disease for which they had no warning.
It is important to always have an objective advocate with you on most appointments. This helps you in accurately gathering information and making accurate comparisons. Keep written records or take recorder with you to all appointments. This is only fair to your physicians, too.
An advocate must be someone who agrees to speak for you if you feel intimidated, which is a normal response in dealing with others who are viewed as having control over your life and your health. Be sure to tell your advocate what your wishes are, ahead of time.
If you have drug allergies always obtain a red warning wrist band in advance of hospital admission, mark it in indelible ink, and wear it. Do not permit any variables dangling in your care. You will read this repeatedly throughout this site.
Tell whomever will be with you in the hospital of such drug, food or treatment reactions and empower them to act on your behalf.
- Question medications you are being administered. Try to have that person stay with you during your pre-op, and hospitalization(s).
The patient may seek and select each member of his or her care team, and be an active and equal member.
Oncology practices must increase patient confidentiality. For example, too much patient information is given via telephone to other medical entities from the front desk in the waiting room for all to hear: patient's name, birth date, social security number, insurance, diagnosis, etc.
Oncology practices must provide for more privacy and view the nurses as colleagues, not servants (it affects patient confidence), and acknowledge that nursing education often provides more basic sciences and pharmacology than medical education.
Supportive activities, psychiatric/psychological interviews, nutrition, supplements, exercise and water therapy, and other resources for the breast cancer patient should be include in the initial meeting with the patient. This helps to provide the patient/client with a more powerful, and inclusive stance in relation to generalized health and healing . . .for more information.
Breast cancer is a serious diagnosis no matter what you hear from anyone —it's a chronic killer.
The patient and physician must not act on diagnoses (such as radiology or pathology impressions) until a report has been generated in writing, in a timely manner (generally 24 hours maximum) however the FDA gives Certified Breast Radiologists 30-days) to produce a signed written report.
The patient should fight paying services when there has been a lag time in the issuing of a written report beyond the FDA Mammography Standards Act (30-days). Notify your insurance company and request a Case Manager, who will be a medical professional and advocate for you, as well. An excellent oncologist and/or breast surgeon will be obtaining your report for you in much less time.
There is not enough money going into prevention, early detection and screening.
A profession is termed such because it polices itself. It must be more evident to the health care consumer. Too many State Medical Examination Boards are not reviewing complaints of negligence and/or malpractice. Yet, they will 'hop' onto a physician if there's a complaint of any sexual innuendos or misconduct. (Hummmmm?)
There are too many misread mammograms. Radiologist who interpret mammograms must be FDA Certified in breast mammography and diagnosis! There must be two separate readings by two separate radiologists! Don't ask—tell your breast radiologist that you want to meet with him/her and discuss your mammograms. Take any prior mammograms with you but hang on to them. Use them when you meet with the radiologist (who is a physician). You are paying for this care. Do not take anything for granted. Do not pay any professional or individual you have not met. Smiles don't keep you well.
There is no anatomical mapping of the ductal system of the breast─ does that tell you where women are in the "food chain?"
What if women did not take pains to hide their mutilation through reconstructed breasts, prosthesis, and wigs? Would the impact of cancer be more evident and more attention given to a cure and psychological support?
Why is this not a priority in health care financing and planning?
- Let's do something
about prevention and accurate early detection of breast cancer!
Pay for early detection and appropriate screening!
Abolish the term, "in remission" until there is an objective, clinical test to prove breast cancer cells are gone.
Marches and banquets just won't do it!
One on one caring, sharing, and responsible philanthropy will.
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rev 12/07/2005