Debate Over Whether Mammograms Are Necessary at Age 40 or 50

A United States Preventative Services Task Force arrived at recommendations as to what age women should begin having mammograms. According to their study, the average woman does not need a mammogram until she is fifty. At the present time, forty is the age that most women begin having a regular annual mammogram, or as their doctor recommends.

Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius said: "Women should continue getting regular mammograms starting at age 40." This statement was made following the Task Force recommendation to thwart confusion brought about by the Task Force's earlier recommendation. The recommendations from the Task Force have also created confusion among women across the country as to which advice to take. At this time, it quickly led to charges from opponents of changing health care policy that it may be an example of what might be expected from government-managed health care.

Sebelius also commented that the Task Force does not set federal policy and they don't determine what services are covered by the federal government.

Below are a couple of reasons why some mammograms are done that are not needed:

1. When a doctor insists and orders a mammogram according to a time schedule, such as annually, without examining the patient.
2. Women who have been on a regular schedule for years might feel they still need to have a mammogram following that schedule, without symptoms or a doctor's advice.

At one time, I had a mammogram every year. However, now that I am somewhat older, I have not had one for three years. During one breast self-examination, I felt a definite lump. My doctor sent me to a surgeon for an examination and possible lump removal. The surgeon believed it might be a fluid cyst, and performed a needle aspiration biopsy. The next thing he said was: "You are one lucky lady." It was not solid, but fluid. The sample was checked, (biopsied), and it was fine.

I believe that if a woman has a history of cancer in her family, she should continue to have an annual mammogram.

One thing I cannot understand is a doctor discouraging patients not to perform breast self-examinations. These are done in the privacy of the woman's home, and I feel they are important. If a woman finds something she does not think is normal, she should see her doctor as soon as possible. I have heard of a lot of lives being saved because of breast self-examination. So, keep on performing monthly breast self-examinations, and get a mammogram once each year or two years, according to your doctor's advice.

Sources:
Fed Panel: Mammograms start at 50 - wcbstv.com
Sebelius: Mammograms Save Lives, Rochester Sentinel, p. 4
Personal Experience