One Woman’s Story: Racing for Change
After 15 months of breast cancer treatment, Beatrice Evrard didn’t return to life as usual. Instead, the Sales Assistant at EDM Imaging set her sights on the Moroccan desert.
She signed up for the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc—the Aïcha Rally of the Gazelles of Morocco—an all-women off-road adventure that trades speed for strategy. Unlike traditional races, the winning team isn’t the fastest, but the one that logs the fewest miles while navigating to each checkpoint. GPS and smartphones are off-limits; competitors rely solely on maps, compasses, and their own instincts to cross vast dunes and unforgiving terrain.
For Evrard, the rally race wasn’t just a challenge. It was a way to mark the end of treatment and the beginning of something new. This was a test of endurance and self-belief.
Here, she shares her incredible journey—in her own words.
How did your experience with breast cancer inspire your participation in the rally?
Cancer and the rally are connected; it was a form of rebuilding myself.
After an intense 15-month battle with breast cancer that tested me physically and emotionally—and deeply affected those around me—I wanted my children to see me in a new light. Not to forget, but to move forward, to show them that despite the difficulties and the obstacles that stand in our way, we can keep going and keep believing.
So when I was told, "You can go back to living your life," I knew life would never be the same again. My desires had changed, my priorities too. A friend asked me, "So, now, what’s the one thing you’d love to do—something totally unexpected?"
I had this urge to challenge myself, to prove that I was still here, to feel alive again. That was when the first step toward [participating in] the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles began.
What started as a challenge became a true [act of] rebuilding, before, during, and after the rally. It was an incredible adventure, an emotional roller coaster, and a deep pride to have made it to the end.
How did you prepare, physically and mentally, for such a challenge in the desert?
My treatment protocol was heavy (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, more chemotherapy), and my body had suffered a lot. I cannot say I was in top physical shape. My mind took over. With the doctors’ advice, physical therapy sessions, lots of walking, and the strong desire to push my limits, I was ready to go.
What was the importance for you of racing for the association Vivre comme avant (“Live Like Before”)?
Vivre comme avant is a [non-profit] association that supports women affected by breast cancer during and after their treatment. Having gone through it myself, it was important for me to represent this organization, to say and to show that it is possible to make it through and believe in yourself, even if the fight is hard.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the event?
Managing fatigue and concentration. The rally is intense for its entire duration, and every day brings new challenges that you have to face. But what satisfaction and comfort when you finally cross the finish line.
What were the most memorable or emotional moments for you?
Following your route with just a map and compass, finding the checkpoints, managing to get out of difficult situations such as sand dunes or tricky slopes. But above all, it is about the exchanges, the sharing, the mutual help. It is an adventure that deeply moves you, sensations that transform you, and that amazing feeling of saying, "We did it!"
Once a Gazelle, always a Gazelle.
The Price of Early Detection: Why Insurance Reform Is the Next Step in Breast Cancer Care
Public health campaigns have done their job: more women are getting screened for breast cancer than ever before. But what happens when the mammogram finds something suspicious and the next test comes with a bill?
Across the country, many women are discovering that while screening mammograms are covered in full, diagnostic or follow-up imaging often is not. That single distinction between screening and diagnostic creates a financial barrier that delays care and, in some cases, costs lives.
The Coverage Gap
Under the Affordable Care Act, screening mammograms are fully covered without copay or deductible. However, when a radiologist recommends additional imaging after finding an area of concern, that next test is coded as diagnostic. From that moment, most insurance plans treat it like any other medical service that is subject to deductibles and coinsurance.
A 2025 report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) revealed how widespread the problem has become. The study found that 70.4 percent of insured women paid out-of-pocket for follow-up diagnostic breast imaging in 2023. About 1.1 million women are expected to delay or skip medically necessary tests this year because of cost concerns. Nearly 378,000 more are likely to avoid future mammograms for fear of unexpected bills. According to ACS CAN, removing cost-sharing for diagnostic imaging could prevent more than 7,500 late-stage breast cancer diagnoses and save about 2.2 billion dollars in treatment costs across the United States.
These numbers make it clear that financial barriers are not abstract. They have real effects on who gets diagnosed and how early that diagnosis happens.
When Cost Stops Care
Breast imaging specialists across the country report seeing patients postpone diagnostic testing because of unexpected costs.
In an interview, radiologist Dr. Amy Patel, Medical Director of Breast Imaging at Liberty Hospital and past Chair of the ACR Radiology Advocacy Network, described how younger women sometimes delay care after abnormal screenings.
“Those are essentially the patient stories that stick with me,” she said, “when they’re younger and can’t afford the cost of a diagnostic mammogram and possible ultrasound.”
Even short delays matter. A small, localized tumor can progress in a matter of months, turning a treatable condition into an advanced-stage disease that demands aggressive therapy.
State Reforms: Closing the Gap Locally
Because the ACA mandates free screening but not diagnostic imaging, several states have stepped in to close that gap through legislation.
Missouri has been among the leaders. Its Senate Bill 106, effective January 1, 2024, requires insurers to cover both diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound, without copays or deductibles. The statute (Missouri Revised Statute § 376.1183) defines these terms clearly and prohibits cost-sharing for either exam type states have enacted similar reforms.
Arkansas passed Act 268 (HB 1309), mandating no-cost coverage for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, including MRI and ultrasound. Colorado’s SB 25-296 ensures full coverage of medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging without cost-sharing . New York requires insurers to cover both screening and diagnostic breast imaging at no cost under state law. Virginia enacted legislation in 2024 that will ban cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental imaging, taking effect January 1, 2026. Illinois provides partial protections, covering physician-ordered ultrasounds for dense-breasted women, but does not yet eliminate cost-sharing for all diagnostic imaging services .
As a result, access remains inconsistent. A woman in Missouri or New York may receive follow-up imaging free of charge, while a woman in a neighboring state might still pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the same test.
Why It Matters
The term cost-sharing may sound like a technicality, but its consequences are human. When a woman receives notice that her mammogram looks abnormal, she is already anxious. Adding a $500 or $1,000 price tag for the next test can turn anxiety into paralysis.
Eliminating those costs is not about convenience. It is about enabling women to complete the diagnostic process, catch cancers earlier, and avoid more invasive treatment later.
The Bottom Line
The United States has made enormous strides in breast cancer awareness, imaging technology, and early detection. Yet the system still leaves too many women behind because of cost.
Missouri’s experience shows that when out-of-pocket expenses are removed, more women follow through with needed imaging, and cancers are caught earlier. True early detection is not only about better machines or new medical guidelines; it is about ensuring that every woman can afford to take the next step in her care.
Insurance reform is not just a financial issue. It is the missing piece of a truly equitable breast cancer strategy.
In Her Own Words: Evelyne’s Journey Through Breast Cancer and Beyond
Can you tell us how you first discovered something was wrong and how you felt at that moment?
It was my daughter who noticed that I was often touching my breast without any real reason, since I wasn’t feeling any pain. One evening, I took the time to lie down and examine myself more carefully.
Under my fingers, I felt a lump about the size of a marble that I could move around. Right away, I knew it didn’t belong in my body—and that it was serious. I felt an emptiness, like that sensation when you’re falling in a dream—a wave of fear—and I thought, “Oh no, this can’t be happening, not to me.” And yet my last mammogram had been barely nine months earlier.
Everything happened very fast in my mind… I told myself not to say anything and to make an appointment first thing the next morning.
What were some of the most difficult moments of your journey through diagnosis and treatment?
The first thought is always: How do I tell my family? My coworkers?
The diagnosis:
In a crowded waiting room. Tears streaming down my face without control. A woman got up and handed me a tissue. Then my husband called, and the call came through to my car, where my daughter was waiting for me. You feel like you’ve lost all control and you just want everything to move quickly.
Before surgery:
The lymphoscintigraphy was handled with care by the technicians—it’s such an important step. But then, an unbearable pain during the placement of the wire marker in my breast, done without anesthesia because the radiologist felt it wasn’t necessary. The pain couldn’t be relieved because they had to prepare me for the operating room.
After surgery:
Four months of radiotherapy, five days a week, during the COVID period. The medical staff organized things so we would be alone in the waiting room. Despite the kindness of the technicians, the first time I was placed in that room with the massive lead door closing behind me, I felt lost and completely alone. The burns and pain followed, without access to the usual care since many services were closed at that time.
The treatment:
Hormone therapy—this little pill that heals you and completely changes your life. I found myself in a body that was in pain, constantly tired, and nauseous.
There was a sense of exhaustion, frustration, and useless effort that affected not just me, but everyone around me.
Were there moments of hope, inspiration, or strength—whether from within yourself, your doctors, or others—that helped you keep going?
Thankfully, yes.
The support of my doctors, the gentleness of the caregivers, and the understanding from my workplace all showed me that I wasn’t alone in this fight. My surgeon was extraordinary—he reassured me, repeated things until he was sure I understood, and has continued to accompany me with empathy for five years now. My boss and a few colleagues have always been there, genuinely concerned about how I’m doing.
But my greatest source of strength remains my family—my desire to fight comes from them. It’s thanks to them that I’ve found most of my courage. And then there are my “stars” up above, loved ones who accompany me in another way, but whose presence I still feel.
Every day is a new victory, especially when I wake up feeling a bit less tired and manage to do something new. Even if the pain returns the next day to remind me of my limits, it’s still a victory for me.
What did you learn about yourself throughout this experience?
I would say… just about everything.
I learned to be myself, to take the time to look around me, to focus on what truly matters, and to appreciate every small moment of happiness. I opened myself up to the world in a way I never had before. I learned to move beyond fear and to push my own limits.
I discovered an inner strength I never knew I had—a real ability to fight.
I’m doing things I never would have imagined before. I even joined the world of performing arts, and believe me, standing under the spotlight was something I once thought impossible.
Some people think I’m in denial about my illness—maybe in some way I’m still protecting myself.
What message would you like to share with others who may be going through a similar journey?
Even when your world feels like it’s collapsing, trust yourself—you are far stronger than you think. There will be hard days, sometimes incredibly difficult ones. No one else truly knows what you are going through, and no one else has the same unique strength within them to keep moving forward.
Over the past five years, I’ve heard so many thoughtless comments: “You didn’t choose the right treatment center.” “Your cancer isn’t that serious.” “You didn’t lose your hair, so it can’t be that bad.” “It’s been a long time now—you should be better by now.” “You must have done something wrong to get this.” Brush all of that aside.
Surround yourself with supportive people. The care and presence of loved ones are invaluable—they carry you, lift you back up, and motivate you when your own energy runs low.
Know Your Normal: National Breast Health Recommendations for October
Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as both a reminder and a call to action. It is a time when healthcare professionals, patients, and communities come together to promote early detection, education, and support. This year, Her Health Innovated is proud to provide concise Self-Exam Guidelines to help your staff guide patients in understanding breast health. These materials are designed for use in clinical settings, waiting areas, and social media platforms, ensuring that clear, evidence-based information reaches every woman.
The guidelines outline how to check, what to look for, and when to screen, all reflecting the latest national recommendations from leading health authorities. By combining patient education with updated clinical standards, we can strengthen the partnership between awareness and prevention.
What the Latest Recommendations Say
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated breast cancer screening guidelines recommending that women at average risk begin biennial mammography at age 40 and continue through age 74. This change represents an important shift, lowering the starting age from 50 to 40 in order to catch more cancers earlier and reduce disparities in outcomes.
For women aged 75 and older, the evidence remains inconclusive, and decisions about continued screening should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. Women at higher risk—such as those with a family history of breast cancer, known genetic mutations, or previous chest radiation—should follow a personalized screening plan determined by their medical team.
These recommendations emphasize the importance of regular, evidence-based screening while also acknowledging that one approach does not fit all.
From Self-Exams to Self-Awareness
For decades, women were encouraged to perform monthly breast self-exams as part of preventive care. However, recent research has shown that formalized self-exam routines may not significantly reduce breast cancer deaths and can sometimes cause unnecessary anxiety or medical testing.
Today, national health organizations including the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage breast self-awareness instead. Self-awareness means being familiar with the normal look and feel of one’s breasts and promptly reporting any changes to a clinician.
This shift in focus empowers women to trust their instincts and observations rather than rely solely on a structured, monthly routine. It transforms breast health into an ongoing dialogue between patient and provider, built on attentiveness rather than anxiety.
How to Guide Patients in Building Self-Awareness
During patient visits, healthcare providers can integrate small but meaningful conversations about breast health. Encourage patients to take a few moments each month to observe themselves in the mirror, paying attention to how their breasts typically appear. They should be aware of changes in contour, texture, or symmetry, as well as nipple alterations, discharge, dimpling, or localized swelling.
When patients notice something unfamiliar, reassure them that most breast changes are benign but should always be evaluated professionally. The key message is to “know your normal” and to act early if something seems different.
By emphasizing observation over routine, clinicians can reduce the pressure of “doing it right” while still reinforcing the value of awareness and timely action.
The Role of Mammography
While breast self-awareness is valuable, mammography remains the cornerstone of early detection. Screening mammograms can detect cancer before symptoms appear, improving survival rates and expanding treatment options. Encourage patients to schedule screenings on time and to follow through with recommended imaging intervals.
Clinicians should also remind patients that factors such as breast density, hormone therapy, and lifestyle can influence individual risk. Personalized discussions about screening frequency, imaging methods, and follow-up testing are essential to providing comprehensive, compassionate care.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Breast cancer awareness is not confined to a single month. It is a year-round effort that begins with education and continues through consistent, compassionate care. By combining the latest national screening recommendations with supportive patient communication, healthcare providers can help every woman understand that prevention starts with knowledge.
This October, let us recommit to early detection, informed awareness, and community engagement. When women know their normal and act early, lives are saved—and that is the true goal of every conversation we begin.