A Patient Navigator Says Take The Time To Take Care of Your Health
Have you ever heard the phrase “Health is Wealth”? What does it mean to you? In my opinion, I think that “Health Is Wealth” means exactly what it says – the true luxuries and wealth of life can only be enjoyed if one is healthy, and actually has the quality of life to enjoy it.
In my profession as a patient navigator, it’s important to reflect on this statement for several reasons. The most important is that a big part of my job is to encourage women to take charge in their healthcare by getting their yearly screening mammograms. The American College of Radiology says this about screening mammograms:
“A screening mammogram is a non-invasive X-ray that is used to check breasts for breast cancer and other abnormalities. It is the only test shown to reduce breast cancer deaths. Mammograms can detect cancer early — when most treatable — long before it can be felt. This improves odds of survival and can help avoid more extensive treatment.”
At the present moment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, screening services have been halted in order to prevent exposure to the virus. In an article published by MedScape, Richard Fanki writes, “The data suggest that, at current positivity rates, there could be 36,000 missed or delayed diagnoses of breast cancer during the 3-month period from early March through early June.” So, how do we take charge of our health during these uncertain times?
First, you can conduct a regular breast self-exam at home. Breast self-exam (BSE) is a step-by-step approach a woman can use to look at and feel her breasts to check for anything abnormal.
If you are worried about anything at all regarding your breasts, discuss it with your primary care doctor. And please know that you can call me at 504-331-9998 or the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health toll line at 1-888-599-1073, and we will do our best to help connect you to the help that you need.
In the midst of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, there are three things that you can count on:
1. We can still be active participants in our healthcare.
2. Health is still wealth.
3. LBCHP is here for you.
By Kolbi Murphy
LBCHP Patient Navigator at St. Thomas Community Clinic in New Orleans