That’s what I see, and it’s one hell of a platform because I like breasts too.

There is a history of breast cancer in my family. Many of them found it through self-exams between yearly mammograms. To think that this panel would recommend not teaching women how to perform self-exams, and to put off regular mammograms until after age 50 – and then only every other year, makes me so angry I can’t express it.

To put money before a life is as disgusting as it gets.

Cancers among women in their 40′s tend to be fast growing and can be missed by mammograms conducted less than a year ago. Also, if you have breast cancer pre menopause your incidence for another episode goes from the usual 1 in 9 to 2 in 9, or double.

A bit of personal experience comes with this post.

This medical recommendation will be one of the type we will see a lot of in the future.
Mike Protack

If you look at the quoted section above:

“So, what does this mean if you are a woman in your 40s? You should talk to your doctor and make an informed decision about whether a mammography is right for you based on your family history, general health, and personal values.”

Diana Petitti, MD, MPH
Vice Chair, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
November 19, 2009

The decision to have a mammogram is left completely in the hands of the individual. Remember, this is a *recommendation* based on large scale studies, not a *prohibition*. The choice is still left in the hands of the individual. Get a grip.

1. 48 states mandate this coverage based upon the American Cancer Society standards. In which of those states run by conservatives or liberals did the radical right oppose this coverage? Mike Mathews, your argument is specious. Most insurance companies covered it anyway. It was only a few that did not and we saw what happen to the dissenters. They were condemned as being against women. When the government does it, it is alright with you all? That is the only source of hypocrisy here.

2. One of the central arguments was cost based. There is no negative health consequences if you get the screening. The mental health argument of stress that comes from waiting for a biopsy that comes back negative is inane. The radiation agrument has been debunked decades ago and was only a throw away. The only serious argument was a cost one.

3. That means that it is all about rationing. The fact that women under 40 are 1/7 as likely to be affected as those over is still a very significant number. Implementing those guidelines would kill more women than most diseases do in total. If they recommendedf every two years until 50, that would fit with some studies. This idea of not teaching self exams and no testing contradicts the science in their own study. It would kill 1 in 1900 women.

If that is not something to be outraged about, I am in the wrong country.

So much for new ideas and bringing change to Washington.
Just another middle aged male, who has achieved some modicum of success in the private sector, seeking new conquests – in this case Washington.

And exploiting anyone or anthing to get there.

Breast cancer advocates and their supporters should show up in force during reconciliation hearings.

Again, it goes to show the hypocrisy. When it’s the insurance companies making decisions against the healthcare of patients, then it’s just “free-market capitalism” at work. But when a toothless government agency makes a observation, it’s socialism run-amok. HIGHlarious!

For the sake of full disclosure, the AHRQ site states, in full:

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.

Beneath this appears the following:

“So, what does this mean if you are a woman in your 40s? You should talk to your doctor and make an informed decision about whether a mammography is right for you based on your family history, general health, and personal values.”

Diana Petitti, MD, MPH
Vice Chair, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
November 19, 2009

So let’s be clear: the AHRQ is NOT advocating healthcare rationing. They are simply stating a general rule of thumb, subject to each woman’s reasoned review of her own situation. If that review leads individuals to pursue mammograms prior to age 50, then the option still exists, under the terms of their recommendation