Is it manageable to travel for breast reconstruction surgery?
In an issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons), a new report states that long travel distances are still a huge hurdle for women seeking breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
“While greater patient awareness and insurance coverage have contributed to breast reconstruction rates in the United States, geographic barriers to access this service remain, particularly to academic centers,” states the new research by Dr. Surgeon Evan Matros and his colleagues of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
This study is a great asset in identifying factors hindering women from the breast reconstruction procedures they desire and developing a solution!
At PRMA, we routinely offer services to patients from out of town and out of state. Traveling for reconstruction is no easy task and can add additional financial stress on top of medical expenses, but there is hope. There are numerous assistance programs available to help with the burdens of being away from home for surgery. The American Cancer Society offers housing assistance programs to help find free or discounted accommodations during a patients stay away from home. There are also flight assistance programs like Angel Flight available to assist in the cost of flights.
If expenses are the only thing hindering you from traveling for breast reconstruction, please reach out to assistance organizations before making your final decision.
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
While greater patient awareness and insurance coverage have contributed to breast reconstruction rates in the United States, geographic barriers to access this service remain, particularly to academic centers.
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