As mentioned in a previous post, freelancers union is a great resource to freelancers to connect you with affordable health care coverage. Unfortunately, there are still many who have no coverage at all.
The number of people that have NOT been affected or known someone affected by breast cancer is very small. I am going to deviate a little bit off the beaten path and take the opportunity to offer some helpful resources available to my fellow freelancers as our Nation recognizes the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Included in this post are some great resources to check out that can be very useful to this subject. Many of us have been affected either personally or had a family member or close friend affected. It is not unusual for someone with a freelancing career to go without insurance. Please don’t let non coverage keep you from seeking proper diagnostics and care.

It cannot be stressed enough, the importance of knowing your body and being aware of any changes that may occur. This applies to men as well as women. So far in 2009, there have been 192,370 new cases of women with breast cancer and 1,910 cases of men diagnosed. All women should have a yearly exam performed by their physician. Unless qualifying factors of genetics, or other health issues warrant earlier screening, yearly mammograms should be done beginning at 40 years of age. A mammogram does not hurt, or leave any marks, as many believe. It is a bit awkward situating yourself in the machine, but it really isn’t as bad as you may have heard. The importance of the procedure far outweighs any brief discomfort you may feel, and it could be a large factor in saving your life. Early detection is the key for a successful treatment program of any illness.

You can contact the Center for Disease control to find a provider of free or low cost mammograms in your area. The phone number is 888-842-6355 or you can visit their website at www.cdc.gov. Many other websites offer information and links to various drug assistance programs. The Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund is a foundation set up in 2000 by Roy Goldberg in honor of his mother, Shirley Mae. 100% of all donations the foundation receives are used for assistance towards diagnosed breast cancer patients. Cancercare.org is another resource for medication assistance. There are many available programs out there and a one stop visit to the site of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, nbcam.org, has a listing of several of those programs.

Strides are being made every day in the field. New treatment options are constantly available and research is never ending. The most common cancer in US women, breast cancer, has seen a steady decline of deaths related to the disease since 1990, so progress is definitely being made.

New laws and rights have been implemented to protect patients that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. So even if you have a previous condition related to breast cancer or ongoing doctors’ care, any health insurance obtained will apply to the care and treatment of the disease.

So my friends, take time this month to do something for you. Be aware of your body. Schedule your mammogram. Tell your friends. Take care of yourself and the ones you love.