If you are a football fan like I am, you may have noticed that October is breast cancer awareness month and nothing says solidarity quite like an NFL linebacker wearing pink shoes.  The fact is, in the last few years there’s been a huge push to make the public aware that in the fight against breast cancer, we all need to be involved and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina takes that fight very seriously.  Offering preventive care services, including mammograms, covered at 100%, BCBSNC is a proud supporter of women’s health.  (more…)

Very likely you’ve seen the breast cancer awareness slogan that says, “FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!” and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants you to know that when it comes to fighting breast cancer BCBSNC is in your corner, offering preventive care, including mammograms, covered at 100%.  Much like boxing, or any sport for that matter, the key to victory is a successful game plan and according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, having a preventive plan in place is the key to reducing risk.

A good breast cancer preventive plan includes self breast exams, as well as having clinical exams performed by a health care professional on a regular basis.  For women over 40 and women under 40 with high risk factors, an annual mammogram is also very important.  In addition to these medical preventions, however, there are other daily habits that can help in your fight against breast cancer.

Reducing your Risk Involves the following daily habits:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Eat fruits and vegetables
• Do not smoke
• Limit alcohol consumption

These daily habits as well as a good medical prevention plan are the key to success in the fight against breast cancer.  Also, as you “fight like a girl,” remember that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is in your corner.

Before starting any weight loss program, always consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect you participating in a new nutrition and fitness program.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Perhaps you’ve been noticing a few more pink t-shirts than normal.  Or maybe, your favorite NFL quarterback is sporting a pair of pink running shoes.  That’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to support women’s health.  In fact, preventive care, including mammograms, is covered at 100% in every BCBSNC health plan available.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, preventive care is the key to successful treatment of breast cancer.  Early detection is the number one life saving measure and when breast cancer is detected in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.  For this reason, every person should know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and be proactive in having any abnormalities screened by a healthcare professional.

Regular screening for breast cancer is imperative as your doctor can check for signs of breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.  Mammograms can often show a lump in the breast before it can be felt.  Women 40 years old and older should have 1 mammogram every 1 or 2 years and women younger than 40 who have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare professional whether mammograms are advisable and how often they should get one. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina makes this easy and affordable by offering 100% preventive care coverage.

Because early detection is the key to successful treatment, it is important for every woman to have an early detection plan.  This plan should include performing monthly self breast exams, regularly visiting your doctor for scheduled clinical breast exams, and following your healthcare provider’s recommendation guidelines for mammograms, which depends on age and health history.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports women’s health and the fight against breast cancer.  Join the BCBSNC family and discover why when it comes to preventive care and early detection, Blue is the new pink!

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obamacare. Call us for details.

The following information is from a recent publication on Mastectomy Benefits from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

As required by the Womens’ Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, your health insurance policy provides beneftis for mastectomy-related services, including all stages of reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the bresats, prostheses and complication resulting from a mastectomy , including lymphedema.  This coverage is subject to the same deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or limitations as applied to other medical and surgical benefits provided under your policy.  If you have questions, please check your Member Guide or call the Customer Service number on your ID card for more information.

The information above is brought to you from BCBSNC, A Guide to a Healthier You, 2009.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina and how to utilize My Member Services, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. The information referenced in this post only pertains to breast cancer in women.   A woman’s breast is made up of glands that make breast milk (lobules), ducts (small tubes that connect lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph (pronounced limf) vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts (ductal carcinoma), some begin in the lobules (lobular carcinoma), and the rest in other tissues. 
 
The American Cancer Society breast cancer screening guidelines are for women at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.  Mammograms are used to uncover early signs of breast cancer.  A mammogram is a special type of X-ray of the breasts. Mammograms can show tumors long before they are big enough for you or your health care provider to feel. Mammograms are quick and easy. You stand in front of an X-ray machine. The person who takes the X-rays places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable, but it helps get a clear picture. You will have an X-ray of each breast. A mammogram takes only a few seconds and it can help save your life. 
 
The American Cancer Society’s recommendations are for yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Blue Advantage Plan covers screening mammograms beginning at age 35 along with the doctor’s interpretation of the results.  More frequent or earlier mammograms will be covered as recommended by a doctor when a female member is considered at risk for breast cancer.  A member is at risk if she has a personal history of breast cancer;  has a personal history of biopsy-proven benign breast disease;  has a mother, sister or daughter who has or has had breast cancer;  has not given birth before the age of 30.  
 
Content of this article from American Cancer Society and Medline Plus
As of the date of this article, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina covers mammograms one of two ways:  They are covered 100% if done for screening/prevention purposes (by themselves with no other service done in conjunction).  However, if done in conjunction with a surgery, they will be subject to your deductible.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. The information referenced in this post only pertains to breast cancer in women.   A woman’s breast is made up of glands that make breast milk (lobules), ducts (small tubes that connect lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph (pronounced limf) vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts (ductal carcinoma), some begin in the lobules (lobular carcinoma), and the rest in other tissues.

Lymph vessels are like veins, except that they carry lymph fluid instead of blood. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains immune system cells and waste products. Lymph vessels lead to small, bean-shaped collections of tissue called lymph nodes. Most lymph vessels of the breast lead to lymph nodes under the arm. These are called axillary (AX-uh-lair-ee) nodes. If breast cancer cells reach the underarm lymph nodes and continue to grow, they cause the nodes to swell. Once cancer cells have reached these nodes they are more likely to spread to other organs of the body. (more…)