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We weren't the only ones who were upset this week after a government task force announced that most women in their 40s should no longer get routine mammograms; instead, it recommended that regular breast cancer screening start at age 50.
Women (and their doctors) across the country—including here on CafeMom—were confused and uneasy about this dramatic shift in approach to breast cancer detection.
That's why I was so relieved to read despite the new mammogram advice, Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is telling women to "don't change what you do."
In other words, Sebelius acknowledged that the task force had presented important information that should be taken into consideration when making a decision about whether to get a mammogram. However, federal policy would not change with respect to the new guidelines.
In response to the confusion surrounding whether women ages 40-49 should get a mammogram, Sebelius had this to say:
My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years—talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you.
Sebelius also said she "would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action."
What do you think? Will you discuss the new mammogram advice with your doctor, or ignore it altogether?
New Breast Cancer Advice: Skip Mammograms in 40s and Breast Self-Exams Altogether
Breast Cancer Survivor Stories: Glennax2
Comments (5)
I'm in my late 30's and to the point of almost getting a mammogram every year since I have ovarian cancer in my family (my mother - diagnosed in 2007 still going strong!!), had my baby late (just this year) and was not able to breast feed. We're still trying to figure out whether my insurance will cover the test for the BRCA-1 gene that my mom has and that I may have to determine if I indeed have a higher risk for both breast and ovarian cancer....
I saw on the news this morning... they changed their minds???
Hmmm I'm not really sure why everyone is upset. It appears that they reassesed their research (or conducted more) and found out that for most women (not at high risk) screening at 40 didn't increase the chances of catching it early but did increase the chances of false positives and needless biospsys.
And as always when new research or informtion comes out, discuss it with your dr. Next to you, they know your body and medical history best.
I think she's being naive. We all know insurance companies WILL change their coverage.
I agree...the problem with these new recommendations means that insurance companies will no longer cover thing like paps unless they are every 3 yrs or mamograms after 50. I realize that these recommendations come from medical professionals however, they are constantly changing their minds about what's good, healthy, etc. I would hate to think that even one woman may be lost to breast or cervicial cancer bc they didn't get screened for these things as previously recommended. 1 woman is 1 woman too many. Who's to say that 5 years from now, they dont' change it again to the age of 35 for mamograms & every 6 months for paps? I am not saying that they will but reality is that it is always a possibility. For me, I have ovarian cysts. This makes me wonder if the insurance company will question visits to my gyno when I get checked for possible cysts. I have had abnormal paps too...not for years now but I will say, these new recommendations are scaring a lot of us women, worrying that something may be missed bc insurance will not cover screenings and the reality of it is, these screenings are not cheap, so it's unlikely that women will pay for them out of pocket. I just find it odd, that as the new healthcare reform is coming about, these things are coming out & will help keep healthcare cost down for insurance companies. Coincidence...possibly but wow, WHAT a coincidence it is.