I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer) on May 19, 2014 at age 42.

It all started with a bad ear infection the beginning of April. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and the pain only got worse. Finally, I was referred to an ENT Specialist. When my referral nurse went to make the appointment, she saw an order for a mammogram which had been sitting there since October 2013. She not only scheduled my ENT appointment, but she scheduled my mammogram for the following week. If I wouldn’t have had an ear infection, then I probably still wouldn’t have gotten my mammogram. I was putting it off because I didn’t have “time.”

I didn’t realize the importance of a mammogram because I thought I would never get breast cancer because I’ve been healthy my entire life.

After my diagnosis, I then got tested to see if I’m a carrier of the BRCA gene. I found out a month later that I was positive for BRCA1 mutation. I then decided to get a double mastectomy, oophorectomy, DIEP flap procedure reconstruction all the same day, which was August 28, 2014.

I then had chemo treatments from 10/3/2014 through 1/15/2015. The first treatment was extremely difficult; however the remaining treatment went much easier as my body adjusted to the chemo.

Even though this journey has been very difficult, it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me because it changed my entire outlook on life. I found out just how strong I was and was able to beat cancer.

Ladies, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting your mammograms at age 40. If you notice that it runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting your mammogram much sooner. It could save your life!

HealthNet’s Mammography Fund provides coverage for Indianapolis women in need of mammograms. Donate online today at www.indyhealthnet.org/Donate.

THREE pretty big obstacles:

1. Deciding to prepare yourself for cancer. – just in case.
2. Trying to afford insurance – just in case.
3. Finding the income to pursuit services to prepare yourself – just in case.

Uninsured women often face these three obstacles, and many times do not know where to turn.

Uninsured women [are] more likely than their insured counterparts to require a longer, more extensive chemotherapy regimen (find out more statistics from The Commonwealth Fund).

There are several organizations in the Indianapolis area that provide mammogram screenings to those without health insurance and living below the federal poverty. HealthNet is one of those organizations.

Last year, HealthNet provided mammogram screenings to uninsured women, as well as breast health education and outreach services with the hopes of overcoming the cultural, educational, social and financial barriers that prevent women from getting screened.

This education and outreach is vital because research shows that women without health insurance are less likely to get a mammogram screening. A report done in New York showed that uninsured women lag behind the insured when it comes to getting screened for breast cancer. City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, believes it is, “because uninsured women do not know enough about the resources that are out there for them.”

The American Cancer Society has put together an Indiana Mammography Facility Guide on their website that is a resource listing of facilities throughout the state offering screening services. In addition, a contact number is provided for those on Medicare and the uninsured that assists them with finding a designated site that will provide mammogram screenings if they can not afford this service.

Partnerships through St. Vincent’s Mobile Mammography Unit, Little Red Door Cancer Agency and HealthNet’s Health Centers exist to provide free mammograms to qualifying low-income or uninsured women in Indianapolis.  Together we are taking the steps needed to offer preventative and screening services to women in Indianapolis – just in case.

Uninsured women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, causing their risk of dying form the disease to increase by 20 percent! Together we can give them a chance to fight breast cancer. Together we can close that gap.