I have been fighting ovarian cancer for 4 years -- where the typical 5 year survival rates are less than 20%. I am convinced that my survival has depended to a large degree on the excellent care I get at my doctors office. My doctor performed my original surgery in 8/99 and has overseen my subsequent care. I initially had 6 rounds of chemotherapy followed by a year and a half of remission. When my cancer recurred in 7/2001, he put me back on chemotherapy and I have remained on a "maintenance" level of chemotherapy ever since.

I am convinced the doctor is better able to monitor my condition and reaction to the chemotherapy drugs because he is also my oncologist. Additionally, the treatment is much more manageable for me, having been in the same offices with the same doctor and many of the same oncology nurses, for this four year period. Chemotherapy is a difficult enough experience as it is. To force patients to go to a large hospital environment where there could be any number of doctors, nurses or pharmacists responsible for your care is unreasonable and potentially dangerous.

I am sure that there are inefficiencies in the insurance/Medicare process, but I don't think they are unique to chemotherapy services. Perhaps the rates need to be reviewed and standardized, but to make it prohibitive for physician oncology practices to exist is not the answer.

 ~ E. R.                 

As a two-time cancer survivor patient of Doctor Benigno, I believe the so-called reform legislation for Medicare cancer cases will be devastating for many.  I know that the care I have received during my two chemotherapies at SEGO has been outstanding, not only because of the clinical care but the confidence in the staff which does so much in taking away the fear factor connected with cancer itself.

The uncertainty of knowing what the Congress and the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have in mind for Medicare recipients is frightening.  One has the feeling that they intend to make it as difficult as possible for us to receive chemotherapy, blood work and examinations.  The Congress and the administrators know that there will be those who will not seek treatment and one wonders if they care.

Let's hope that good sense and true concern for the best treatment for those of us who are cancer patients will prevail.

~ E. D.