VANCOUVER – Bernadette Leno is a breast cancer survivor.
But now she is facing a new battle. After undergoing chemotherapy treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, Leno noticed problems eating, chewing and swallowing.
It turns out that six months of aggressive chemo had resulted in bone loss in all quadrants of her jaw. Typically, before starting cancer treatment, a patient is asked to see a dentist so the BC Cancer Agency knows if there are any preexisting conditions. But Leno was unable to do that.
“Prior to cancer I had a few issues with some little dental things,” she said. “My chemo got pushed up so I didn’t have the opportunity to get things looked after.”
About a year ago she was referred to the BC Cancer Agency’s Oral Oncology Department and the complexity of her case means she now has an oral surgeon, prosthodontist, orthodontist, and endodontist on her roster of specialists.
“So I’m starting to not speak properly, it hurts to eat, I can tell my face is changing and that’s upsetting,” she said.
The bone loss has also caused her sinuses to drop and she will now need a sinus lift. Three areas of her jaw need bone grafting and she will have to have several dental implants to help reactivate and retain the bone. However, before this can be done, Leno will have to receive orthodontic treatment to make space for them.
Due to the fact that her dental problems are indirectly caused by her cancer treatment, she is not covered for the bulk of the procedures. If she had cancer of the sinus, head, neck or mouth, it would be, but other than one procedure, the others have to be done privately so Leno will be paying out of pocket.
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“Most of it isn’t covered,” she said. “In the beginning I thought most of it was, or portions were, it was pro-rated, but since I got that first information it’s changed. Something that I thought would cost me $5,000 is now going to cost me upwards of $25,000.”
“So that was a bit shocking.”
Leno has now set up a fundraising page to help pay for the additional surgeries.
She has started a small business making jewellery to help raise money, but it’s not going to be enough.
Leno has broken down the first stage of her treatment:
Endodontist: $3100
Surgery: $6,000+
Orthdontist: $8,605
Pre-ortho Prosthodontist: $1,000
Two bone grafts and one implant (urgent, March 7th): $5,150
Without the treatment, Leno said she would continue to lose teeth and her ability to speak properly.
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