Changes to the Recommendations in Screening for Breast Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Task Force recently issued new guidelines recommending women age 40-49 quit getting routine, preventative mammograms unless they have certain risk factors. They went on to say self-exams were not needed, and women 50 and older should receive mammograms every other year, not every year.

According to the government panel's website, "The USPSTF recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years. The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms."

This is an outrage! If insurance companies follow the guidelines of this government panel, they certainly will not pay for mammograms earlier than age 50. America has the number one cancer survival rate, and one reason has been cited as early detection. If you ask a random group of people if they have had, or know someone who has suffered from breast cancer, you would hear a resounding 'yes'. At this moment my best friend, who is 37 years old, is receiving chemotherapy for her breast cancer. Her prognosis is good, but only because she detected the lump early. She has a very aggressive form of cancer and I cannot imagine the prognosis had she waited. She has a husband, and two beautiful little girls that in all likelihood would have lost their mother to cancer, based on USPTF's guidelines.

Susan G. Komen's website states "Mammography is the most effective breast cancer screening tool." and their guidelines state mammograms should begin at age 40. The American Cancer Society released this statement in response to the USPTF's new recommendations. "We continue to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40."

One has to wonder if this decision, made by a government panel, is the beginning of rationing we hear so much about recently. It clearly mirrors the recommendations made in countries such as Canada and England that do have socialized medicine. I will not be making changes to my monthly self exams. I trust my personal doctor, and the advice of the Susan G Komen foundation much more than I trust a government panel.