A recent report from NBC Boston sheds light on a troubling reality for many cancer patients: access to routine imaging can be denied—even when a history of serious illness exists.

Kay Hsu, a woman living with metastatic breast cancer, followed her care plan and received regular PET scans to monitor for recurrence. In 2024, her insurance provider, Cigna, denied two of those scans, citing that she had “no symptoms” and that the imaging was “not medically necessary.”

Months later, a follow-up PET scan revealed the cancer had spread to her liver.

Kay’s story is not unique. Across the country, patients with complex health histories are denied coverage based on generalized insurance criteria—criteria that often fail to reflect the nuances of individual cases. For people managing chronic or high-risk conditions, such denials can lead to missed opportunities for earlier intervention and more manageable treatment plans.

Many cancers, including metastatic breast cancer, can progress silently. Waiting for symptoms before authorizing imaging often means waiting until it’s too late for less aggressive treatment options. Kay’s case serves as a stark reminder: absence of symptoms does not equal absence of disease.

For patients navigating similar challenges, alternative options exist. Near San Diego County, Scantibodies Imaging and Therapy offers PET/CT scans for under $2,000—no insurance approval required. By removing common barriers, patients can act on their concerns or physician recommendations without costly delays.

🔎 If you’ve been denied a scan but have a history of cancer or high-risk conditions, talk to your doctor about alternative imaging access. Time is often the most critical variable in effective care.