Breast cancer screening, including mammograms and breast exams with a gynecologist, is an essential part of good healthcare for adults of all backgrounds. However, not everyone attends their regular screenings as recommended by their doctor.
Many factors influence whether someone can undergo regular screening, from financial opportunity to awareness of mammography services in their area.
When an individual cannot access the cancer screening they need, they face an increased risk of more severe types of cancer due to the failure to detect precancerous development early.
This can result in poorer long-term outcomes, greater financial costs, and other negative consequences. If you are facing barriers to breast cancer screening, there are options to help you get the testing you need.
The Problem: Healthcare Coverage
The Affordable Care Act mandated that mammography screening be included with no co-payment; however, not everyone has health insurance.
Data indicate that less than 50% of those who did not have health insurance had a screening mammogram done within the previous two years. This number was slightly higher for those with private health insurance at 80%, but many patients are still not being screened.
The Solution
Patients who lack healthcare coverage have multiple options. The ACA may provide one alternative: subsidies for low-income individuals could cover the cost of nominal health insurance, either in part or in full. Alternatively, some individuals or families may qualify for Medicaid, which typically covers one mammogram per year for those over the age of 40.
The Problem: Awareness
Even among those who have insurance, many do not get regular breast cancer screening because they are not aware of its importance or what role it can play in their health.
Some may assume that breast cancer will show symptoms and that they do not need to worry before then; others (especially men or those with small breasts) may believe that breast cancer is not really a risk for them.
Those who know about breast cancer and the options for screening for it may still lack awareness of local resources that can help.
The Solution
Increasing education for all patients is the first step toward greater awareness of the importance of screening. From quick notes from a primary care doctor to informational pamphlets available at pharmacies, many resources may be available to help people better understand the need for breast cancer screening.
The Problem: Access
Some patients may have the knowledge to understand why screening is important, and it may even be covered by their insurance—but without proper access to screening facilities, these elements do not matter. A person who cannot find public transportation to a clinic or does not have enough sick leave from work might not be able to access screening services, even if they want to.
The Solution
Patients having trouble getting to a screening center might benefit from contacting volunteer organizations in their community. Churches, cancer treatment volunteer groups, and others may be able to provide temporary transportation for those who do not have another option.
In some cases coordinating your mammogram appointment with your routine doctor visit can reduce time away from work and transportation costs. As another line of defense, patients can learn how to do breast self-exams at home.
The Problem: Cultural Differences
America is a melting pot, with an increasing number of residents identifying as belonging to more than one culture. When these other cultures are at odds with how the American medical system conducts screenings, patients may not receive the necessary services.
The most common challenge is language barriers. Patients may not receive helpful education or understand their doctor’s recommendations if they do not share a connection via language—and in some cases, patients struggle to make an appointment at all. In other instances, cultural or religious pressures could prevent patients from seeking medical care from certain providers or offices.
The Solution
Utilize state-provided translation services that are available at many doctors’ offices or research volunteer or non-profit organizations that can provide translation.
Choose medical offices with friendly staff who demonstrate a commitment to patient comfort, including making important information available in a way that makes sense for patients.
Offices with online portals can be beneficial, as they allow patients to review documents in their own time and with the assistance of translation services, knowledgeable family members, and more.
Get Your Breast Cancer Screening as Scheduled to Protect Your Health
Breast cancer screening is an essential service, but many patients do not receive it due to factors ranging from cultural differences to lack of access to being unaware.
Both patients and doctor’s offices can work together to bridge these gaps and make cancer screening accessible for everyone.
The team at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness champions patient comfort, and we truly strive to get to know all of our patients so that we can communicate with them clearly and completely. Contact Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness to schedule your breast cancer screening.