Planned Parenthood launches new breast health initiative

[redqueen]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48726264/ns/health-cancer/#.UDLR3WlWqAY

WASHINGTON — Planned Parenthood, a target of U.S. conservatives opposed to its abortion and birth control services, said on Monday it would use $3 million in donations to launch an initiative to fight breast cancer with expanded screenings and education.

The donations poured into Planned Parenthood earlier this year in response to the decision by breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure to cut off grant money to the women's health network.

The initiative will add to basic screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics by funding ultrasounds, biopsies and other follow-up services. It will also provide new educational resources for women under age 40, an outreach program for Hispanic women, and a new screening tool for the network's doctors and nurses.

The $3 million flooded Planned Parenthood's coffers in four days earlier this year as 77,000 supporters rushed to protect the group after the Komen foundation said it would cut off nearly all of its $700,000 in annual grant money used to fund breast cancer screenings.

...

Excellent.

[stuckinodi]

1. So What?

If there's a problem, the people they screen can't afford treatment anyway.

Screening and education aren't the problem - treatment is.

[redqueen]

2. Ten posts in two years...

Interesting.

Is this post indicative of your rare contributions?

[stuckinodi]

3. Sorry if I Offended

I just question the value of screening with no hope of treatment.

[seabeyond]

4. there are places a person can get financial help once something is found. it saved a womans life

that i know. i will not defend the medical system we have. you are right. it sucks. it lacks big time. i am paying tons and i wonder if it would pay out if i ever needed it. BUT.... i know thru these org, there are charitable groups that help pay and get the women into the process.

it educates. it has screening. then is sends to groups that can take a woman, step by step thru the process.

i do not know a lot of people. and only one woman that used this. but, she told me they were there for her.

and twice, (remission) it saved her life.

[redqueen]

5. I was just puzzled by the tone.

Medicaid does cover treatment for some patients, but of course if the republicans get control again that will change.

[stuckinodi]

6. Single Women With No Children

do not qualify for Medicaid in most states.

And yes, even those women who currently get Medicaid will be at risk if Republicans get control again.

[seabeyond]

7. as i said, they have programs sit up for poor women and that certainly includes

single moms. they GET that the women coming into their offices probably do not have the insurance and the money and the doctor to treat this. their whole system is set up for women that cannot afford.

do you really think they are all about getting a woman into their offices to say, yup, you have cancer. good luck to you?

[stuckinodi]

10. Maybe

In my personal case, that would be all they could say. I'm unemployable (caregiver to disabled father for many years) and now live on inheritance (not large) and savings til I get Social Security. I do not qualify for any assistance. I realize my situation is pretty unique, so I should not comment. Sorry.

[seabeyond]

12. like i said, i have not experienced and i am no expert. you may be helped.

there are charitable orgs that help pay for the womans treatment. a woman that had experienced it was telling me about it. i donated enough to breast cancer orgs to hear different things they offer. until i got pissed a couple years ago selling women out, sexualizing/objectifying to get money.

i dont know what is out there. but, i hear they find ways to help women get treatment.

i know the issue with health care. it is ugly for all of us.... ok, most of us. i wonder what position i would be in if i get sick.

i just dont like to come to conclusions when i do not have the info.

[redqueen]

8. Good news is good news.

I'm definitely familiar with the practice of greeting good news with information about how it could be better. Not all people will benefit from any program. I'm not used to seeing, "So what?" as a response, despite that fact.

[stuckinodi]

9. Sorry

That was just my initial reaction.

And it is good news for those who can use it.

[redqueen]

11. Sorry if I gave you the third degree...

It's election season and it's too easy to jump to conclusions about DUers with low post counts.

[ismnotwasm]

13. That's great

And there are treatment option for the under or non-insured. Further encouraging any women to get screened encourages all women to be screened.

I just had a patient who said she did everything right; she breast fed, had a healthy lifestyle, no genetic factors, didn't smoke, etc. it never occurred to her it could happen to her. So when she found a lump in her breast, she attributed it to a type of cyst she had as a teenager. Felt the same.
She casually mentioned it to a coworker who immediately insisted she get it looked at. It not only was cancer, she required chemo, radiation and a mastectomy. (I take care of post-breast reconstruction, it's called a DIEP flap if anybody is interested) she said she now advocates for every woman to get screened and to take breast health very seriously, no matter what they think their risk factors are.