This is not limited to Multiple Sclerosis/CCSVI.
In 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After learning all I could about my specific type, I came upon a chartroom. It was on
www.breastcancer.org. There I was told by a similarly diagnosed woman named Pat , that I was a candidate for a new test. The test done on your tumor specimen is called OncotypeDx and it assesses whether you are a candidate for chemotherapy and what your recurrence risk is.
After my surgery I asked my oncologist to order this test. She was a preeminent physician at a large recognizable cancer center. She first said that " insurance probably wouldn't cover it" and then she " didn't really see the value if the test".
After telling her I would pay for the test if I had to and that I was insisting in
it, she complied and ordered the test.
I scored a "o" which is the be score you could get. Chemotherapy would not
help me or influence my prognosis at all.
I believe because chemotherapy would have generated revenue for her or
her Hospital , the physician was not routinely ordering a test that could
prevent needless chemotherapy.
I had advocated for my own healthcare and was very empowered without risking my survival.
Patients+ research+ Internet = a new level of empowerment
I remain friends to this day with Pat, we even met in person.
I now appear on the genomics health website that teaches people about the
test.
Healthcare will never be the same.
Ps I just hit my 5 year anniversary cancer free.