Ron survived his prostate cancer. But he and his wife were distraught while waiting for diagnosis and treatment.
Read about Ron’s experience without Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance.
Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 59.
Two years ago, a routine test showed elevated PSA. For Ron and his wife, Nancy, those results set off months of torture.
His family doctor decided to send him to a urologist and booked an appointment in 4 weeks time. Ron felt that all the urologist did was poke around and prescribe more tests.
The prescribed tests were a trans-rectal ultrasound and an abdominal-pelvic CT scan. The ultrasound wait was 3-1/2 weeks. For the CT scan, it was 4 weeks.
With his next appointment 6 weeks away, and no one to talk to or answer their questions, the wait was hard to endure.
By the time Ron saw the urologist again, they had been living in fear for close to three months. Fearing the worst during that wait, they had tried to figure out how they could live without Ron’s income, and how Nancy would make ends meet if he died.
When the appointment finally came, they were told Ron needed another test. A biopsy was ordered which was another 2-week wait. Then, 5 days later, the urologist’s office called and asked Ron to come in immediately.
The urologist explained that Ron had cancer and recommended removing his entire prostate. A radical prostatectomy is major surgery, involving 5-7 days in the hospital and a 6-week convalescence. More than 30 percent of survivors experience incontinence and/or impotence.
The leadtime for the surgery was 4 weeks. The follow up for the final results was 4 weeks later.
It was then that their fear gave way to anger. Ron and Nancy both wanted to know why the doctors didn’t act sooner, and how much the cancer grew in the 3 months since Ron’s PSA test. All they were told was, “It’s hard to say.”
Ron’s story is a composite of many factual patient case histories.
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The Right Choice alternative
Read what Ron’s journey would have been like as a Right Choice client.
As soon as the family doctor mentions prostate cancer, Ron calls Right Choice. Here’s what the care professionals at Easy Assist would do:
- Answer Ron’s questions about the PSA results and prostate cancer.
- Provide information on all aspects of prostate cancer and treatment alternatives.
- Schedule the CT scan and Ultrasound immediately (saving 4 weeks).
- Contact the radiologist for a verbal report in advance of the written report (saving 2 weeks) and communicate these to the urologist prior to the first appointment, so the biopsy can be scheduled earlier.
- Follow up on the biopsy and arrange to receive the results in advance of the second urologist appointment.
- Ensure Ron and Nancy understand the diagnosis.
- Upon diagnosis, help Ron claim the Right Choice cash benefit.
- Send all the results to WorldCare to receive a fast second opinion and alternative treatment recommendations
- Advise on treatment options. Ron’s urologist may prefer radical removal of the prostate, but Ron has options. Within the surgery option, robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery are available alternatives to normally invasive surgery. Radiation and high intensity ultrasound are alternatives to surgery. Both carry greatly reduced risks of incontinence and impotence.
- Advise Ron where each treatment is performed, and help him arrange for an alternative therapy if he chooses.
- Provide ongoing information and emotional support to Ron and Nancy.
BOTTOM LINE:
- Ron has a confirmed diagnosis in 4-5 weeks instead of 3 months.
- He has his cash benefit to spend on optional therapies or for unplanned expenses.
- He has a reliable second opinion within a few days of the initial diagnosis.
- Ron is able to choose and afford a non-invasive procedure that minimizes risk of incontinence and/or impotence.
- Ron and Nancy have ongoing support and advice from a single trusted source.
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