When You Can't Afford the Test

You may have read recently that the American Cancer Society is reporting a decline in cancer deaths over the last two decades. Unfortunately, while many of the more common types of cancer are declining, some of the less-common types are actually on the rise. Many types of cancer can be found in early stages with screenings and tests that are prescribed by a physician, making successful treatment and recovery more likely. And, if a patient has health insurance coverage with a decent preventative component, chances are they won't pay anything for the procedure. Unfortunately, too many Americans have no access to health coverage that will pay for these tests. Even a co-pay or deductible for one of these tests can cost hundreds of dollars, making them impossible for many people to afford. This can lead to delayed care and late-stage, more deadly, diagnoses.

Hope Cancer Resources provides a program as a local resource in Northwest Arkansas for patients who need costly tests done, but who are under- or uninsured and unable to pay for them out-of-pocket. Our Save-A-Life program requires a simple financial application, and, if the applicant qualifies, a staff member will coordinate with a medical provider who will perform the screening and send the bill to us. In 2011 we paid for 503 screenings valued at $318,301. That's certainly an impressive number, but value aside...the reality is that many of the patients we assisted would not have had the screenings done at all if the Save-A-Life program had not been available, putting them at an increased risk for a late-stage (and more deadly) cancer diagnosis. 

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Many woman have a screening for cervical cancer every time they visit their gynecologist, called a Pap test. The pap test is the initial test for cancer screening, but an abnormal result does not necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer. There are other causes of abnormal pap tests; however, your doctor may feel that a colposcopy is needed to rule out cancer. During the colposcopy,which is done in a gynecologist's office, the doctor will take a small tissue sample for biopsy. Based on the results of the biopsy, another procedure may be needed, or the doctor may choose to do more frequent pap tests for a period of time to assure that the abnormal cells are clearing.

"Mary" was a patient who contacted our office because she could not afford a pap test. Upon questioning, we learned that she did not have a primary care physician because she could not afford to see one. She was referred to an area community clinic that charges on a sliding scale according to income. Mary was established at the clinic with a primary care provider who performed a pap test. The results of the test were “abnormal” and the provider determined that she needed a colposcopy. Because she could not pay, the community clinic referred her to Save-A-Life. After determining that Mary was eligible, our Save-A-Life coordinator set up an appointment with a participating gynecologist and faxed a voucher stating that we would cover the cost of the colposcopy. The biopsy results revealed a low-grade level of abnormality and it was determined that she did not need further treatment at that time, but needed another pap test in six months. Because her financial situation was unchanged six months later, Save-A-Life paid for the follow-up pap test as well.

For many people in Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding region, not having access to healthcare increases their chances of being diagnosed with a late-stage cancer. By providing prevention education and information about our programs like Save-A-Life, we are working to be part of the solution for that challenge.