Doctors will diagnose 192,370 cases in 2009 of breast cancer. The chances of survival are better than ever, especially for advanced breast cancer patients.
What is breast cancer? “advanced”? Advanced breast cancer is a form of breast cancer that has spread beyond the breasts, lymph nodes and surrounding areas. Metastatic breast cancer is the most severe form of cancer. The cancer cells have spread to other parts, such as the lungs, liver, and bones.
Although advanced breast cancer was difficult to treat in the past due to its severity, medical advancements are making it easier for doctors to treat this disease. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), for example, provides personalized cancer treatment plans that may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. This plan can also incorporate complementary medicine such as mind-body medicine and nutrition.
CTCA employs nutritionists in order to closely monitor all patients with breast cancer and to document vitamin D. This is due to the findings of studies showing that low levels vitamin D are associated both with higher tumor grade as well as a shorter time to cure. Although vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight or fortified milk products (which are good sources), not everyone gets enough. CTCA recommends taking supplements.
Treating patients is not just about beating cancer. It’s also about maintaining your quality of life. Oncoplastic surgery allows women to have their breasts reconstructed and removed in one procedure. Patients will experience less stress if there are fewer surgeries.
“Personalized cancer medicine is becoming very much a modern concept,”Dennis Citrin MD is a CTCA medical-oncologist. “Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. It’s not a single disease where one treatment fits all,”He adds.
Genetic technology is also a tool that can protect the families and loved ones of cancer patients. BRCA1 (or BRCA2) is the most common genetic cause of ovarian and breast cancer. If a patient with cancer discovers that her gene causes it, she can tell her loved ones to get tested. Patients with advanced cancer are more likely to survive than ever, but breast cancer detection in its early stages is still a key factor in survival rates.
For more information, please visit www.cancercenter.com.
The pace of life today is rapid. People can check their kids’ soccer scores on the phone, while also sending emails to work with the help of digital technology. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can expect the same conveniences from all services and businesses except their insurance companies. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.
It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is critical for both financial recovery and physical recovery.
Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% have enough money to cover out-of pocket expenses. Additionally, rising healthcare costs are forcing employers into cost-saving measures that are putting employees under greater financial pressure.
* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.
* Increasing employees’ share of premium.
* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.
A lot of people will have to wait for up to a few months before receiving their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to provide customers with fast service thanks to modern technology and better understanding of their needs. This is just one example. AflacIn the insurance industry, it is rare to find policies that allow for claims approval, processing, and payment within one day.
In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It is now a necessity. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.
Aflac’s One Day Pay guarantee can be found on aflac.com/onedaypay.
