Navigating Treatment Costs & Tips For Avoiding Scams About Cancer
- “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” stars Brandan and Mary DeNuccio have apologized to their fans after Mary recently mistakenly self-diagnosed herself with colon cancer on February 17, 2024.
- Mary admitted this week, “I thought I have colon cancer and posted it without thinking.”
- People all around the world have taken to GoFundMe to raise money for medical bills. Medical bills can burden anyone, but if you’re facing enormous health costs, it’s important to understand you’re not alone and there are resources to help you pay your bills and ensure you get the care you need. You can negotiate payment plans, seek out government assistance programs, or look to advocacy groups.
- SurvivorNet offers lists of resources available to you for help paying your health bills.
- Remember – before donating to a charity, Google the charity’s name along with “scam,” “complaint,” “review” or “rating,” to check the organization for red flags
The adorable couple, who got engaged in October 2023, wed one month later, and gave birth to their daughter Midnight earlier that year, took to social media this week to be honest about Mary’s spurious cancer announcement on February 17, 2024.
Read MoreShe explained further, “I got anxiety attack and I thought I have colon cancer and posted it without thinking. It’s my fault and I’m very sorry about it. But please stop harassing me and wishing me to die. I’m just a human. I’m in pain right now and the pain won’t go away. I kept throwing up and I feel so weak.
“The doctor says my liver is inflamed and I have blood infection, UTI and hemorrhoids. we are still waiting for another laboratory test for my colon. Again, I’m very sorry I made a mistake announcing I have colon cancer. I just thought I have colon cancer because doctor said I have issue with my colon and they need to check it. I’m very sorry I panicked and I got anxiety.”
Following her expression of regret, her husband shared a video update on Mary’s health status for their fans.
He explained in the footage, shared to Facebook on Wednesday morning, “We just got done at the hospital. Mary did some testing. She did a urinalysis, a poop test, a blood test, ultrasound, rectal exam. It seems that Mary does have something inside her, but we don’t know exactly what it is yet.
“Urinalysis shows that she has a UTI, which would explain the pain that she’s getting in her side and her back, towards her kidney. The blood test shows that she has an above average white blood cell count, her WBC is 18 and the average is 11.”
Brandan noted that she will need to get another fecal test next week as her results may not have been accurate due to her taking a laxative before the exam, but she’s now on antibiotics and probiotics.
He continued, “We’re going to come back [next week] do more testing … and possibly a colonoscopy.” He said a colonoscopy would be done if there was still blood in her stool or if she continues throwing up or experiencing abdominal pain.”
Brandan and Mary are speaking out after sharing a link to a GoFundMe page they created last week to “remove Mary’s colon cancer.”
The fundraising page, which has since been deleted, reportedly read, according to Ashley’s Reality Roundup, “I don’t have financial support. I’m the only one working in the family and supporting my family.
“I hope you will help me, any amount will help me a lot. Please don’t judge me I don’t want to die. I want to spend my whole life with my daughter.”
According to the realty blog, Brandan then took to his Instagram to say, “I humble asking for your financial help for Mary’s surgery to remove her colon cancer. We need help, not judgements. Any amount will help Mary a lot and save her life.”
However, the fundraiser, which raised approximately $1,300 was taken down on Monday. Mary and Brandon ultimately revealed on their social media accounts that she did not get a professional diagnosis.
It’s seems Mary was quick to diagnose herself after doing some research on the internet, but we must remember a professional diagnosis is always the right course of action.
Radiation oncologist Sean Vance, M.D., previously spoke with Henry Ford Health about the dangers of online self-diagnosis and said, “The wealth of medical information we have at our fingertips can be empowering, but we need to be really choosy about the sources we are using—especially when searching topics like cancer, stroke and heart attack.”
He added, ““Don’t use the Internet to self-diagnose. You are likely to cause yourself unnecessary stress, or possibly minimize something that could be serious.
“But, once you have a professional diagnosis, you can use trusted sites to learn more about your condition.”
How To Protect Yourself Against Scams
As many “90 Day Fiance” fans presumed, Brandon and Mary DeNuccio had made a GoFundMe to raise money for a colon cancer battle prior to learning whether the mom of one was diagnosed with cancer.
It’s important to understand that charity scams do exist.
Another way that scammers find their way into the lives of people who care about cancer is by preying on the desire to donate to cancer charities.
To avoid this unfortunate reality, the FTC recommends a few easy steps. First, when you’ve found a charity you want to donate to, do a quick Google search with the name of the charity and the word “scam,” “complaint,” “review,” or “rating.” This way, if others have reported that the charity is suspicious, you’ll have a heads up.
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You can also check out the charity’s website and look for information about the programs they support, as well as numbers that explain how much of the donations go directly to the programs at hand (vs. how much is spent on administrative costs).
Websites like Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance can be helpful for figuring out which legitimate charities to donate to as well.
The FBI says consumers should first make sure they are donating to charities they know and trust. It’s not easy since many have similar names. For the rest, several websites can help sort them out.
- Organizations like GuideStar list financial reports from nonprofits and rate them for transparency.
- Charity Navigator reports on charities in much the same way with an eye toward good governance. It also has Top 10 lists for those who want to give to a cause, but aren’t sure which charity best fits their intentions.
Telephonic solicitations can be a minefield for donors. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that givers shouldn’t fall for sob stories and should try to ask instead how their donation will be spent. Don’t feel rushed to make a pledge and never offer donations in cash, with gift cards or by wiring money.
Also, beware of tricks such as being thanked for a donation you never made. If you want to give to cause, do it with credit card or check and keep records of the donation, the agency advises.
The FTC says it will continue to pursue telemarketing scams involving charities.
RELATED: Beware Of Cancer Email Scammers Asking You To Give Away Money After They’re Gone
Deciding When and Who to Tell About My Diagnosis Became a Burden
Colon Cancer: A Silent Killer
The fear Mary Denuccio felt when she suspected she might have colon cancer is completely understandable as the disease has been dubbed a “silent killer.” However, it’s important to remember to get a professional diagnosis before assuming anything as patients can’t be certain what their symptoms are signs of.
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, previously told SurvivorNet, “Colon cancer is considered a silent and deadly killer.
“What happens is people often don’t know that they have colon cancer. They don’t have any symptoms. That’s why we screen for colon cancer in the United States.”
The Rate of Colon Cancer is Increasing in Those Under 50
“You should be screened for colon cancer, even if you have no family history. Once you have your initial screening colonoscopy, if there are no polyps and you have no high-risk factors, usually once every 10 years is fine,” she advises.
“Colon cancer is a slowly progressing cancer. If you have any family history of colon cancer, you should be screened about 10 years before your family member had colon cancer. So if you have a family member that was 53, you should be screened at 43.”
Colon Cancer Appearing More in Younger People
Although the average age people are diagnosed with colon cancer is 68 for men and 72 for women, according to the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute reports that since the 1990s, colorectal cancer cases have been rising among adults younger than 50.
Research published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians found the proportion of cases in people younger than 55 years old increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.
“We know rates are increasing in young people, but it’s alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population,” cancer epidemiologist and lead study author Rebecca Siegel said.
Researchers are still trying to determine why younger people are being diagnosed in greater numbers. Some experts point to risk factors which include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking as a possible explanation for the increase.
RELATED: Why a Tailored Approach to Colon Cancer Treatment Matters
“We don’t know for sure why we are seeing earlier onset and death from colon cancer,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist who specializes in colorectal cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet.
“It is likely a combination of factors, including diet and genetics as well as access to care and some environmental factors,” Dr. Yeo added.
Screening for Colon Cancer
Luckily, most colon cancers can be prevented through routine screenings. Colon cancer screenings usually involve a colonoscopy, in which a long thin tube attached to a camera is used to examine the colon and rectum.
The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test before they turn into cancer. If no polyps are discovered, the next screening won’t be needed for about 10 years.
Dr. Paul Oberstein Explains Common Colon Cancer Symptoms
A colonoscopy isn’t the only colon cancer screening test. There are other options, including stool tests that detect blood or DNA, and flexible sigmoidoscopy, which checks only the lower third of your colon.
Ask your doctor whether any of these tests would be good additions to a colonoscopy, based on your risks and/or personal preferences.
RELATED: Can the Stuff in My Gut Cause Cancer? There May Be A Link to Colon Cancer
“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Yeo added. “Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem.”
Cancer Research Legend Urges Patients to Get Multiple Opinions
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
“The fact that we have now reduced the screening age to 45 is a huge step,” Michael Sapienza, CEO of Colorectal Cancer Alliance, told SurvivorNet in an earlier conversation.
“It will allow us to potentially screen 15 million more eligible Americans a year and will certainly save lives. I also think what it’ll do is bring much-needed attention that even if you’re younger than 45 you should be paying more attention. I think that’s also a really important message.”
Dr. Heather Yeo Breaks Down Different Ways to Screen for Colon Cancer
The Cost of Cancer: The Basics
It’s understandable why Mary DeNuccio was considered about possibly having colon cancer and the medical costs that come with it, as one of the first questions many people ask themselves after a diagnosis is, how am I going to pay for cancer treatment? Navigating the payment process can, at times, feel more stressful than the treatment itself.
To help you navigate what can be a particularly stressful and confusing aspect of the cancer experience, SurvivorNet has spoken to doctors, financial experts, and survivors who have been through treatment themselves. They’ve shared their guidance and advice for paying for cancer treatment no matter your financial situation.
RELATED: How Can Doctors Help by Advocating for Patient Care?
Oftentimes, doctors recommend taking time to sort through your finances first and then enlisting the help of a social worker or patient navigator, if possible. These specialists may be employed by the center where you are planning to receive cancer treatment.
“Financial planning in the setting of cancer is the most stressful thing,” Dr. Nina Shah, a hematologist at University of California – San Francisco, tells SurvivorNet. “It’s right up there with, how long am I going to live? The first thing you have to do is recognize your limitations.”
Dr. Nina Shah explains where to seek help paying for cancer treatment.
Dr. Shah suggests taking stock of your finances and looking for any money that is liquid. Perhaps it was set aside for travel or something similar.
Cancer often affects the whole family. You may end up having to take off work to undergo treatment, and your caregiver whether that’s a spouse, sibling, or friend may need to miss work as well to help you.
Dr. Shah suggests seeking the guidance of a social worker to understand what resources are available to help you cope.
“The best way to … find the resources that are available is to speak with the social worker associated with that [cancer center], because that person usually knows what resources are available and what you can do to access them or apply for them and where you may or may not qualify to receive them,” she says.
Financial Help: Where To Look
When it comes to paying for cancer, there are people specifically designated to help you navigate the process. Social workers and patient navigators often work at cancer centers or hospitals, or other organizations associated with these facilities. These employees can assist people with many aspects of the cancer journey, including navigating medical bills and other finances.
“Patient navigators can function differently at different hospitals,” Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, a surgical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.
“We have a really wonderful program at [NYU] where we used lay navigators … that pretty much help newly diagnosed cancer patients through the continuum of care.”
These navigators can meet with patients right after the diagnosis and can also:
- Attend appointments
- Provide an assessment for next steps of care
- Assist with housing, transportation or immigration issues
- Help with financial issues
- Provide direction on legal issues
“They really will help them get through these barriers that we think could impact their care,” Dr. Joseph added. “Because the goal is we want them to complete their care.”
Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph explains how patient navigators can help patients.
If you’re having difficulty finding resources or answers about how to get help paying for a disease or cancer you are battling, there are a few options you can consider. You can negotiate payment plans, seek out government assistance programs, or look to advocacy groups.
These are a few of the options cancer patients and their loved ones have to get help covering costs associated with treatment (from drug co-pays to travel assistance):
For Help With Treatment Bills
- The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available local services.
- Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays, according to the American Cancer Society.
- CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
- The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
- The American Cancer Society may be able to link patients and their families up with local resources (they offer a 24/7 helpline).
- The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
- The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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