France to reimburse new implants for breast cancer patients
Parliament Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet said this month she had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and was undergoing hormone therapy.
Among those patients who have had to remove a breast under a surgery called a mastectomy, many choose to then have it reconstructed with an implant.
Currently, breast reconstruction is fully covered under the terms for long-term illnesses (ALD) by French national health insurance, but some doctors had been able to charge additional fees (dépassement d'honoraires).
On average patients had to pay an extra €1,400 out of their own pocket in extra fees and other related care, too much for women with lower incomes.
Until now, these extra costs meant that 15 percent of patients could not afford to have a breast removed, said Yannick Monnet, the Communist lawmaker who presented the bill to parliament.
The new legislation also aims fully reimburse costs of a new breast implant. While the initial implant can remain in place for many years with no problems, some women find they need a replacement.
Costs related to getting a medical tattoo of the areola and nipple, or an adapted bra to wear afterwards, will also be fully covered.
These measures broadly aim to help reduce body-image distress and improve mental health after breast removal.
Similarly, the new law will make it so that social security helps to cover the cost of anti-dryness creams and nail varnish to prevent nails from falling off during treatment, as well as psychological care and physical therapy.
According to the World Health Organization, 670,000 women died of breast cancer in 2022, the most common form of cancer among women in most countries.
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