Newly Diagnosed with further tests required
Hi. I was diagnosed a little over a week ago and I had a surgeon appointment today. She wants an MRI as my breast tissue is so dense some of the images are too vague for her to determine a clear surgery plan. But I have a potential surgery date for a few weeks time. I am thinking this is good that she is being thorough. But it does concern me as there may be more than meets the eye and she has given me that warning. Current knowledge is that I have 2 areas of concern, close to each other on same side, hormone positive, HER2 negative, provisional stage 1. One area is about 7mm, the other is ill defined and this is what she wants more images of. I feel better after meeting the surgeon, and hearing her explanation, her delivery of the plan from here and her general 'bedside manner' was the perfect amount of real. She took the time to understand what was concerning me. I am running the Sydney Marathon at the end of the month and after doing all the training and prep I would have been devastated if I couldn't run it. However we have a plan to get me there. So even though I need more scans to be certain of exactly what is going on, I am feeling as good as can be as there is some progress. In the back of my mind, is what if it is more than the fairly common and small areas I have? I can't dwell as it is what it is. I will focus on the run and deal with these things as they arise!
Medicare Update for High Risk Breast Screening
Have you had an MRI AND Ultrasound on the same day? Did you receive the Medicare rebate on BOTH items? I think this is more to do with 'new diagnoses' - not existing ones - but if you require an ultrasound AND MRI on the same day - make sure you ask the questions about being able to claim the medicare rebate on BOTH! As of today (1st July 2026) those having MRI AND Ultrasound, may be able to have them on the same day and claim both the Medicare rebates. Previously - they had to be done on 2 different days to be able to claim both rebates. This will make it more 'time efficient' and less stressful, reducing out of pocket expenses - particularly for rural/regional/remote patients (for example) who would have to have stayed an extra night to have the 2nd procedure otherwise!
Scan day freaking sucks......yet again. Probable curse words included.
With only minor trepidation and my shit mostly together I went to clinic today to get my results. I stopped to give a co worker that had just been diagnosed (MOFO BC) a hug and a shoulder to cry on for a bit while we were waiting. I heard my name called and promised her she would get through and I would be happy to help if I could in any way. She thanked me with that smile you put on when you are trying so hard not to burst into tears and your heart is aching as I waltzed on in to the doctors office. Well the whole thing went sideways and turned into me leaving work in a shaky, teary eyed mess. My goodness this thing still rocks you when least expect it. Here we go again with another fucking ambiguous result about the mystical eliptical thingamajjigy that has taken up residence in the rogue boob. Said thingy has decided to grow 2mm in 6 months. BIRAIDS score now moved up from a 3 to a 4 and hey lets poke a needle in it this time. This presents a problem. Considering the MRI is still the only machine that can see thingy (again it can't be felt by anyone either) and it's positioning, it is probable that a biopsy can't be done in the MRI machine. Still waiting on an answer for that one. So do we just poke around in there and try to hit it?? Cut it out or off just for the heck of it? No body is prepared to say it is anything sinister nor are they prepared to say it's not. Seriously, can someone please tell me how, for the love of god, you can have 4 MRI's, 4 mammograms and 6 u/sounds in a period of 12 months and still not know what this is or isn't. So as it sits, back to headlining the MDT on Thursday to get input from group of guru's as quote "my breast don't scan normally". Another targetted u/s on Friday. And wait for an answer on whether the biopsy can be done by MRI. Waiting waiting waiting yet again. Fuckity fuck fuck. I am sick of this roller coaster. I want to get off and my money back. Mental status right now = somewhere between zoned out numbness and seriously pissed off. Strongly considering ostrich tactics at the moment. Thanks for listening. :/Labor & Liberals both promise subsidised MRIs available to Breast Cancer Women
There must be a general election coming up . ...... Both major parties are promising to have subsidised MRIs for women (especially as MRIs have been available to Men with Prostate cancer for some time!) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/29/both-major-parties-commit-to-extra-funding-for-breast-cancer-mri-scans Both major parties commit to extra funding for breast cancer MRI scans Morrison government to announce $32.6m in next week’s budget while Labor pledges $47m if it wins election Both the major parties are promising additional funding for MRI scans for women with breast cancer. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters Women with breast cancer have secured commitments from both the major parties for additional funding for MRI scans – $32.6m from the Morrison government coming in next week’s budget, and $47m from Labor if it wins in May. The Coalition will use next Tuesday’s budget to create two new Medicare items for MRI of the breast, to be available from 1 November 2019, scans that will enable more accurate diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. If Bill Shorten wins the coming election, Labor is promising to “work with experts” to finalise the design of the new Medicare items that will allow subsidies for scans. Medicare: Labor vows to lift freeze on rebates if it wins federal election Shorten said Medicare already subsidises similar MRI scans for men with prostate cancer – but not for women with breast cancer, except in extremely limited circumstances. “As a result, thousands of women are being charged up to $1,500 in out-of-pocket costs for the scans used to diagnose their cancer, decide on treatment and ensure cancer does not return,” the Labor leader said. The government says creating the Medicare items will benefit 14,000 patients a year.
Cost of MRI
I just need to vent. My oncologist suggested I do an MRI to see why I am getting numbness in my arms & legs. I have also been suffering a lot more headaches. Well the MRI cost me $1000. How much do I get back from Medicare? You guessed it ZERO! What about private health insurance? ZERO.... Why isn't this test covered? I don't understand. I have metastatic breast cancer. So an MRI is the only way to definitively test the progress of my mets. Can anyone explain to me why this is not covered. BCNA is this on your radar?An easy explanation to understand CT vs MRI
My memory is never the best - and I often have difficulty remembering the difference between a CT and an MRI! Personally, I reckon EVERYONE diagnosed with ANY Cancer, should receive a full-body CT scan at the time of diagnosis, as a 'time capsule' of that moment ... so that further along, if recurrences/Mets occur - they have something to compare the NEXT CT scan with - to see if they 'missed' something in the first one! Have you had a full-body CT scan? I've only had specific areas scanned when I've been concerned about aches & pains since my diagnosis in 2018. CT scans use X-rays to create fast, 3D images of bones and organs, while MRIs use magnetic fields for detailed images of soft tissues, taking longer to scan. Here's a quick & easy comparison! And she explains it well in this 'Reel' too - check out her other Reels and 'Pics' of many things relating to BC!! https://www.facebook.com/reel/26962219740085934
Call out for anyone living in Queensland who has experienced out of pocket costs for breast MRIs
Hi everyone, I have another call out for someone interested in talking to the media! There is so much interest at the moment in breast cancer related stories so we want to make the most of this. This time a senior journalist with a major paper is wanting to run a story on the lack of rebates for breast MRI and wants to interview a Qld woman. If you live in Qld and were left out of pocket for your MRIs and are interested in speaking to the media about your experience please direct message me Thanks!
