Just found this fantastic article in Women’s Health that profiles five young women battling different types of cancer.  A few things that struck me:
1. Nearly all of the women were diagnosed late and were facing an advanced-stage disease. At least two of the five were mis-diagnosed by their doctor (the other’s didn’t say).
2. Three were struggling with fertility issues.
3. All were entirely too young.
Bridget Mooney was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at 21 years old. That’s right… 21. How maddening is it that insurance companies don’t cover mammograms before the age of 40? As if it is impossible to have cancer before the big 4-0. Give me a break. Worse, her doctor dismissed the lump Bridget found in her breast because she was “too young.”   This happens all the time. I would venture to say more often than not. Bridget is now in her third year of aggressive chemotherapy. How different would her situation be if those in power had listened to her in the first place?
Have you had a similar experience? Vent here!
Oh, and I’ll write about the fertility issue next time. 