Will you now postpone mamograms until you're 50?

[yoyo]

Maybe there's another thread on this. Oh well.

Recent news stories tell us that women should wait until age 50 instead of age 40 to start getting mamograms.

AO ladies, will you now wait until age 50?

To make it fit Political, welcome to Obama's death panels.

[Rickson]

Do you know why they are postponing them?

[Louis Rich]

Originally Posted by Rickson

Do you know why they are postponing them?

They aren't cost effective.

[Jack]

This risks associated with the additional radiation and the number of false positives exceed the benefit of the additional early detection.

It'd be interesting to see additional studies.

[Werewolf]

The problem with such a recommendation is that if even one person dies of breast cancer, that a mammogram would have uncovered, they will be held up as a failure of this policy, no matter how much unnecessary care, follow-up tests, and worry is eliminated.

Ideally, this decision would be between a woman and her doctor. Will it be that way in the future U.S. health care system? Quite possibly, no.

[SamTheEagle]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

The problem with such a recommendation is that if even one person dies of breast cancer, that a mammogram would have uncovered, they will be held up as a failure of this policy, no matter how much unnecessary care, follow-up tests, and worry is eliminated.

Ideally, this decision would be between a woman and her doctor. Will it be that way in the future U.S. health care system? Quite possibly, no.

And the trial lawyers all say, "chaching!".

[yoyo]

Originally Posted by Rickson

Do you know why they are postponing them?

didn't read the study, but see my last statement above

[MG]

Per the news report I saw this morning, insurance companies (a handful at least) are assuring us that they will not be making changes to their mammogram coverage as a result of this policy. However, if this recommendation sticks, I think it's likely that insurance companies will follow suit and update their policies accordingly. (Point is, I think some people will be reassured early that nothing's changed and then find the rug pulled out from under them later).

Agree with Jack and Werewolf's comments.

[cubedbee]

Women in their 20s and 30s currently die from breast cancer. Why isn't the American Cancer Society's current recommendation of starting at age 40 a failure? Why haven't they been sued?

[cubedbee]

Originally Posted by MG

Per the news report I saw this morning, insurance companies (a handful at least) are assuring us that they will not be making changes to their mammogram coverage as a result of this policy. However, if this recommendation sticks, I think it's likely that insurance companies will follow suit and update their policies accordingly. (Point is, I think some people will be reassured early that nothing's changed and then find the rug pulled out from under them later).

Agree with Jack and Werewolf's comments.

Why is that likely? Mammograms are the cheapest form of breast cancer screening, aren't particularly pleasant and so are unlikely to be abused, and probably are already approved if a woman appeals a denial.