ALBANY, N.Y. – As the economy falters and more people go without health insurance, low-income women in at least 20 states are being turned away or put on long waiting lists for free cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network.
In the unofficial survey of programs for July 2008 through April 2009, the organization found that state budget strains are forcing some programs to reject people who would otherwise qualify for free mammograms and Pap smears. Just how many are turned away isn't known; in some cases, the women are screened through other programs or referred to different providers.
Story Link: Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings - Yahoo! News
Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings
Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings
Yeah, I saw this and my first reaction was..."Hey! That's not fair to discriminate against poor people!"
But then I read a little more and I found out that they are seriously short of funds and can't service everyone, so they are doing the only logical thing they can, service the people who need it the most, specifically women over 50. That whole "poor" people being turned away thing is a misnomer. They are helping the poor, just not all of them because they can't afford it.
I hate the way the media slants news sometimes.:-2
But then I read a little more and I found out that they are seriously short of funds and can't service everyone, so they are doing the only logical thing they can, service the people who need it the most, specifically women over 50. That whole "poor" people being turned away thing is a misnomer. They are helping the poor, just not all of them because they can't afford it.
I hate the way the media slants news sometimes.:-2
Re: Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings
As part of the Bowel Screening Program I was recently called in for my Annual Colonoscopy. Anyone who is not familiar with this procedure it is not a pleasant experience as it involves a camera being guided through your lower bowels.
As I work for a Payment Processing Company for Schools (Dinners, Trips, etc) I took advantage of the quiet times over School Holidays to take 3 weeks of Annual Leave, whilst taking the opportunity to get a load of Medical things sorted (including my Cataracts).
Being the wimp that I am, I didn't relish going through the Colonoscopy again, so I opted for the CT Scan instead. As I found out, that is not much better as it involves inflating the bowel while they take the shot. Anyway, when the results came through they had picked up on a lesion on the Kidney, so I was called back for a Kidney Scan. This has turned out to be a large Cancerous Tumour, about a third of the size of the Kidney. As a result, I am booked into Hospital on Thursday to have my Kidney removed. I have now also had a Chest Scan as well, for the benefit of the Anaesthetist.
From Diagnosis to Surgery in less than 2 weeks.
At the moment, other then pains in the small of my back & fatigue, which I later found to be common symptoms (whether they are related to this or not is another matter) I am entirely asymptomatic. However, if it hadn't been for the Bowel Screening Program, and my opting for the CT Scan instead of the Colonoscopy this would have gone entirely undiagnosed until it was too late.
It has also made me appreciate the value of our NHS all the more. If this was the US there is no way I would be able to afford all these Scans, let alone the Surgery. Even with Healthcare Insurance they still end up with a hefty 'Excess' Fee, which can go into 4 - 5 figures for the slightest thing.
As I work for a Payment Processing Company for Schools (Dinners, Trips, etc) I took advantage of the quiet times over School Holidays to take 3 weeks of Annual Leave, whilst taking the opportunity to get a load of Medical things sorted (including my Cataracts).
Being the wimp that I am, I didn't relish going through the Colonoscopy again, so I opted for the CT Scan instead. As I found out, that is not much better as it involves inflating the bowel while they take the shot. Anyway, when the results came through they had picked up on a lesion on the Kidney, so I was called back for a Kidney Scan. This has turned out to be a large Cancerous Tumour, about a third of the size of the Kidney. As a result, I am booked into Hospital on Thursday to have my Kidney removed. I have now also had a Chest Scan as well, for the benefit of the Anaesthetist.
From Diagnosis to Surgery in less than 2 weeks.
At the moment, other then pains in the small of my back & fatigue, which I later found to be common symptoms (whether they are related to this or not is another matter) I am entirely asymptomatic. However, if it hadn't been for the Bowel Screening Program, and my opting for the CT Scan instead of the Colonoscopy this would have gone entirely undiagnosed until it was too late.
It has also made me appreciate the value of our NHS all the more. If this was the US there is no way I would be able to afford all these Scans, let alone the Surgery. Even with Healthcare Insurance they still end up with a hefty 'Excess' Fee, which can go into 4 - 5 figures for the slightest thing.
Re: Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings
The very best of luck for Thursday, I hope everything goes smoothly.
This is the NHS at its best, long may it continue
This is the NHS at its best, long may it continue
Re: Poor being turned away from free cancer screenings
Next year you could focus on a walking tour of Wales instead.
That is not a pleasant succession of events but well done the NHS anyway. I almost asked how do you inflate a bowel but on second thoughts - no.
And the cataracts. I'm having mine out in seven weeks or so, as far as I can make out from the 11-page tour of eye surgery they sent in an email. Which reminds me, I need to return the consent bit.
First one and then the other, apparently.
Good luck with the kidney, come back and tell us. I've never seen mine. Or, now I think about it, anyone else's.
Every year at the moment I get to be palpitated by a nurse. Actually in a room in the hospital, it's all quite official.
That is not a pleasant succession of events but well done the NHS anyway. I almost asked how do you inflate a bowel but on second thoughts - no.
And the cataracts. I'm having mine out in seven weeks or so, as far as I can make out from the 11-page tour of eye surgery they sent in an email. Which reminds me, I need to return the consent bit.
First one and then the other, apparently.
Good luck with the kidney, come back and tell us. I've never seen mine. Or, now I think about it, anyone else's.
Every year at the moment I get to be palpitated by a nurse. Actually in a room in the hospital, it's all quite official.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.