The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released recommendations yesterday that completely change the way women will be treated for breast cancer prevention. Their recommendations are as follows: The USPSTF panel…
“..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.”
“…recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years.”
“…concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older.”
“…recommends against teaching breast self-examination (BSE).”
“…concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of clinical breast examination (CBE) beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older.”
“…concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of either digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of film mammography as screening modalities for breast cancer.”
There are thousands upon thousands of stories of women in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are cancer survivors today because of early detection either through breast self-examination or mammography. It is completely outrageous that the United States of America, with the number one cancer survival rate, would make the above recommendations. One reason for the high cancer survival rate has been cited as early detection. It is simply common sense that the earlier breast cancer is discovered, the higher the survival rate.
Women of all ages get breast cancer. Ask any woman you know and they are sure to say that the benefits of getting ‘too many mammograms’ over the years far, far outweigh the risks of getting breast cancer. The recommendations by this panel are for primary care physicians across the country. These recommendations will also be taken into account by the insurance industry. When a government agency tells the insurance industry it is no longer recommending people get particular services, odds are many companies will jump on the bandwagon and only provide them according to the government recommendations, including any government run insurance.
Even the American Cancer Society has come out against this report:
“The USPSTF says that screening 1,339 women in their 50s to save one life makes screening worthwhile in that age group. Yet USPSTF also says screening 1,904 women ages 40 to 49 in order to save one life is not worthwhile. The American Cancer Society feels that in both cases, the lifesaving benefits of screening outweigh any potential harms. Surveys of women show that they are aware of these limitations, and also place high value on detecting breast cancer early."
Why has this recommendation come about now? Could it have anything to do with the public option that is now on the table and this is a pre-cursor to the rationing that will most definitely ensue as a result of that public option? Why would this panel make these recommendations now after so many years? If you take a look at who the panel is made up of you will see not one breast cancer expert and interestingly these recommendations are very similar to the guidelines that are currently in place in Canada. Obama owns this report. These recommendations are coming under HIS Administration. Obama’s Breast Cancer Panel is truly a ‘Death Panel’ for American women.
Photo by techblogspot
Comments
Thank you for this thorough report! This sudden shift in recommendations is further evidence, I believe, of how Obama intends to radically change our health care system, causing us to lose the preventative medicine and testing that is in place today and save lives. Who thinks this is about cost, or Obama playing God? As 'Word of Truth Radio' host Brad Brandon says, government is taking over our bodies.
You state: "It is simply common sense that the earlier breast cancer is discovered, the higher the survival rate."
What if this is not true? Is there evidence to support what you believe is common sense? If the evidence shows that screening does not significantly change MORTALITY, wouldn't you like to know? We may have the highest survival rate because we overscreen, but do not have the lowest mortality rate from breast cancer--and that should tell you something important.
Ambler,
You are right, the best way to survive breast cancer is to not find out you have it. Now if only those doctors hadn't told me I had Diabetes I'm sure I'd suffer no ill effects from it.
I really don't know if this is a panel of all men or just some very stupid women. I have had breast cancer at age 41. If I hadn't had a mamogram and detected it early I may not be here. What about my yearly exams? Do I have to wonder for 2yrs if it has came back? What about my daughter, granddaughter? Look at the obituaries. There are young women dying every day from breast cancer. What is wrong with these people? Is Obama or the panel getting something from the insurance companies? They are paying people to study the migration of butterflys, maybe this panel is better suited for that.
How does "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," equate into the asinine title that states "Obama's Breast Cancer Panel is a true 'Death Panel' for American women"
What should be given death panel review is such logic.
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