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Do you know someone with breast cancer? How about a breast cancer survivor? Perhaps a good friend or loved one who has passed on? Unfortunately, most people can answer yes to one of these questions. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there is no better time to bring attention to such a serious topic that has altered the lives of so many. According to the World Health Organization, it is the leading cancer type in women—particularly in western civilizations and developing worlds that have integrated a western lifestyle.
Research for the cause of breast cancer has made leaps and bounds in recent years but a definable cause is still yet to be determined. Researchers have found that genetics and hormone levels both play leading roles in breast cancer but have not exacted the perfect environmental conditions for its cause and growth, thus making early detection the best precaution.
Deaths attributed to breast cancer within the lower middle class are typically higher and many believe this is due to the lack of health insurance and financial resources available to these women. Mammogram testing can be expensive but is necessary in early detection practices. Many people go without this life-saving tool because good insurance plans are not offered through employment. Financial burden is the most common reason for women not partaking in a regular mammogram schedule.
Each year, over 200,000 women are diagnosed with some form of breast cancer in the U.S. alone. It is recommended by doctors and the American Cancer Society that women between the ages of 40 and 54 receive mammogram testing each year, with testing done every two years after that until the age of 74. Many women around the world do not have access to such technology, but in the U.S. many facilities are available in every state.
Businesses that participate in benefits plans that help alleviate the cost of recommended preventative testing can both save lives and avoid long-term financial difficulties due to illnesses that could have been prevented. Providing a robust benefits package can also offset the number of work days missed due to serious illness, thus keeping productivity more consistent.
Some of our healthcare insurance coverage partners include:
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Employer-sponsored healthcare benefits truly matter and can make all the difference in the lives of employees who are able to participate in regular preventative screenings. Many individuals who find their healthcare benefits to be satisfactory have a higher likelihood of long-term employment and experience a more fulfilling life and career.
