New Mammogram Recommendations Confuse Women

Yesterday, the United States Preventive Services Task Force ("an influential group that provides guidance to doctors, insurance companies and policy makers") recommended that women get mammograms starting at age 50, reversing its previous position that mammograms should start at age 40. According to the Times, the panel believes that mammograms "can trigger unnecessary further tests, like biopsies, that can create extreme anxiety." But one woman told the AP, "I've never had a scare, but isn't it better to be safe than sorry?... I've heard of a lot of women in their 40s, and even 30s, who've gotten breast cancer. It just doesn't seem right to wait until 50." The American Cancer Society stands by its recommendation that mammograms start at 40.

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By Jen Chung in News on November 17, 2009 11:20 AM

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chrissy

I am 43 years old and was diagnosed 7/09 with breast cancer from a mammogram, there was 3 small tumors none of which I or my doctor could feel. I had surgery and 7 weeks of daily radiation, one of the tumors was agressive and was starting to invade the lymph nodes, I was lucky they caught it when they did. I guess to the government or even to you I am expendable, I am the 1 in 1000 that a mammo saved me... but to my husband and 3 small children, they are greatful. If it was you, or your sister or daughter or wife, you may feel that a mammo at 40-49 is worth it.

Tien

Self examination demo, if needed:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1009/673451_video.html

Trilby16

I have a strong aversion to having my breasts squashed. I think that also you can have an encapsulated tumor that can burst under the pressure. They try to hush this up, but some medical people are brave enough to state it. Also, you get more radiation than is healthy with all the extra mammos.

Some are saying this is good news for the insurance companies. Sure. But you think there aren't folks making money off all the many mammos? And their motives are 100% pure, right?

snickerdoodle

United States Preventive Services Task Force ("an influential group that provides guidance to doctors, insurance companies and policy makers")

This is the beginning of socialist government-run health care. Be prepared to see a reassignment of many "unneeded" procedures in order for the government to save money (did you folks really believe the gov't cared about the health and well-being of Americans? Haw haw haw!). No more cancer screenings for anything until it's too late. Hurrah! Hope the libtards are happy!

hotstepper

congratulations, you are wrong.

"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), first convened by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1984..."

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstfab.htm

Clarice City

"can trigger unnecessary further tests, like biopsies, that can create extreme anxiety."

Uh...how about the extreme anxiety of wondering if you might have cancer? I was only 23 when a doctor found a lump in my chest and said," Did you know that you have a lump in your breast?" Got the stupid thing biopsied and it turned out to be just a random tumor that anyone could develop - totally benign. But what if it hadn't been? I didn't even know that it was there, so it stands to reason that a 30 or 40 year old wouldn't either.

Spirit of 76

So what do you suggest, that women start getting mammograms at 20? 15? 12? Even the other organizations referred to above don't recommend earlier than 40 unless you have extreme risk factors. That totally benign tumor sure scare the bejeezus out of you, though, didn't it? And it cost the insurance company a pretty penny.

This is no different from the recommendations a few months ago that men get fewer PSA screenings because they likewise create a lot of anxiety and prompt unnecessary treatment for nonlethal tumors.

Clarice City

Right. Women never get breast cancer in their 40's or late 30's. Unheard of. Maybe women should stop getting pap smears too. All this preventative care is such a waste. Developing stage three cancer is so much cheaper.

EastRiver

All this preventative care is such a waste.

Beyond a certain point, it is. That's the whole point.

And it's worth noting that these guidelines are suggested for women that are not in a high risk group e.g. those with family history.

Kojak

Women between the ages of 20 and 35 with at least a B Cup should receive personal hand done mammograms on a weekly basis to screen for 'anomalies' using baby oil and possibly the application of saliva.

I am willing to offer this service for free. No insurance required. Pre-screening by a specially trained professional will weed out those who do not qualify for this special service.

NannyState

It's a proven fact that bras and other restrictive clothing are the number one cause of breast cancer in young women, and quite paradoxically, the best preventative in older women.