Rochester, N.Y. - Anne Klahn has had mammograms since she was 30, because of a history of benign cysts in her breasts.
But last summer, Radiologist Kamal Kothari at Borg and Ide Imaging, saw something that caught her eye on Anne's mammogram.
"The mammogram revealed a little distortion of tissue," Kothari said. "It wasn't as smooth. That caught my eye. The cancer was hiding behind the dense breast tissue."
When Anne got the news and was told she needed a biopsy, she was stunned. Not just because of the cancer diagnosis, but because she had no job and her health insurance was running out.
She knew she needed the test, but couldn't afford it.
Dr. Kothari told Anne not to worry about the cost or her insurance coverage, and to have the test.
Kothari and her staff said they never refuse a patient a test and work with Cancer Services, which gets state and federal funding to help people who don't have health insurance, pay for tests and cancer treatment.
"Whether insurance covers it, we'll deal with that later, go ahead and do the exam and find out what it is," Dr. Kothari said.
The biopsy revealed it was cancer. Doctors found a tumor that was 6.8 centimeters in her left breast.
Anne had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy and is now feeling good.
She is grateful to Dr. Kothari for detecting the cancer, which was tough to see on a mammogram. And also to her staff for giving her information about Cancer Services.
The American Cancer Society also helped Anne with transportation to her cancer treatments, a wig and other services.
For more information about Cancer Services funding, you can call 224-3070.
For other cancer related questions, contact the American Cancer Society--cancer.org
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this kicks off with the Make Strides To End Breast Cancer Walk. It is on Sunday, September 30, starting at 10:00a.m.
