Lara Hayes: No price tag on life

I just came home from my third chemo treatment for cancer — which marks the halfway point — and am aching to climb up on the roof of the house and shout to the world: my tumor has shrunk 25 percent and the doctor says I’m doing great!

But it’s raining so this will have to do.

For me, at least so far, chemo hasn’t been all that bad. It hasn’t made me sick or affected my appetite or taste buds. For this I’m eternally grateful and thankful, because I know many cancer patients who suffer terribly from the effects of chemo. I can only surmise that my reaction is the result of all the prayers that are being sent up for me. To everyone who has and is praying for me, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

They’re working … with the help of modern medicine.

Which brings me to an issue that has quickly become very important to me. Last Sunday morning I saw a report on “Fox and Friends Sunday” in which a guest said it is now being suggested that the age for women to begin getting yearly mammograms be changed from 40 to 50. Apparently, according to the guest, breast cancer mostly affects women ages 50 to 70. Women over 70 may start being advised to skip the test altogether. I also found a recent article from the New York Times that included a researcher stating the same. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03second.html)

What?

Needless to say, I was livid upon hearing this. If anything, the age should be lowered to 35. Since my diagnosis on Oct. 1, I’ve lost count of the number of women my age (42) and younger I’ve heard about who have or are currently fighting breast cancer. Raising the age would mean the loss of thousands of lives. And for what?

Answer? Money, of course.

In my opinion, all this is connected to the health care overhaul currently being batted about in Congress. Mammograms aren’t cheap, and lots of dollars might be saved if women waited an extra 10 years to have one done. But at what true price?

Let’s put this in perspective. Say the health care bill passed and became law and we were all under a government-run system. My tumor appeared in the span of two weeks, and four weeks later the cancer had already made its way to a lymph node. First I saw my gynecologist, who then sent me for an ultrasound and to see a surgeon. After examining me, the surgeon sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and needle biopsy that same day. The urgency of the matter was clear. By the time I began treatment, my tumor measured 4 centimeters and I was Stage 3.

Now imagine the same thing under a government-run system. I would have — more than likely — been forced to wait several months just to see my gynecologist. The other tests and the surgeon? Forget about it. By that time the cancer would have spread everywhere and I would have been sent home to die. As it is, my tumor is shrinking and I’m going to make it!

It seems as if the focus has changed from saving lives to saving money, and folks … that ain’t right. Health care should always be about doing whatever it takes to make patients well, or at least get them to a place where they can live as comfortably as possible. You can’t put a price tag on life.

Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks, and this year for me it will be extra special. I’m thankful for my family, my friends, my co-workers (who have been phenomenal), my team of doctors and nurses, the overwhelming love and support I’ve felt from the day I was diagnosed and the power of prayer. I’m also thankful the United States still has the health care system it has.

Because of it, I can plan on being around next Thanksgiving.

Lara Hayes is the newsroom assistant and a features writer for The Daily Citizen. You may reach her at larahayes@daltoncitizen.com or (706) 272-7717.

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