Mammogram Recommendations Draw Widespread Anger

[beefche]

Yeah, what he said.

JAG you should really consider a career in which you have a need to speak and write arguments in a well articulated, measured manner.

[Wingnut]

I have a friend (not on LDS.net) who was irrationally infuriated when she first heard about these recommendations, and linked to this article on her Facebook.

One quote that I pulled from there was this:

But Susan Pisano, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, an industry group, said insurance coverage isn't likely to change because of the new guidelines. No changes are planned in Medicare coverage either, said Dori Salcido, spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services department.

My friend was upset, calling this new move "propaganda" and trying to "sugar coat" the health care bill. Whether or not you agree with her, there are some remarks you can read here from the Secretary for Health and Human Services, regarding the announcement. I haven't watched the videos, just read the article.

[Guest xforeverxmetalx]

If you find a lump, my understanding is that you would consult with your physician, and if your physician felt there was need for a mammogram, then it would be ordered. The idea is not to restrict access to health care, to but make more efficient use of it.

so why isn't this what everyone does?

[Guest]

so why isn't this what everyone does?

For the same reason that people continue to smoke even with a giant mark on the cigarette package that says, "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING:...". This is a free country.

[Guest xforeverxmetalx]

For the same reason that people continue to smoke even with a giant mark on the cigarette package that says, "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING:...". This is a free country.

well I meant more like, why isn't this the recommendation for anyone that finds a lump

[Guest]

well I meant more like, why isn't this the recommendation for anyone that finds a lump

Oh sorry, I misunderstood.

It is the standard course of action. If you find anything that seems wrong with your body, you go to your physician. Whether your insurance covers it or not is a separate matter.

[pam]

On a related note...new guidelines for pap smears.

ksl.com - Many doctors agree with new pap smear guidelines

[Jenamarie]

Isn't that how they already do it in Europe? On another message board I'm on, the women in the UK and Germany were very surprised to hear that us American women got pelvic exams every year.

[Moksha]

Can't this worry about the cumulative carcinogenic potential for a series of X-rays over a nine year span (40-49) be explained away with the maxim that radiation is our friend and the admonition that more people will die in car accidents every year than from irradiation?

[SMG]

The average X-ray isn't as deadly as people may think it is. 1 x-ray per year for 9 years isn't going to increase risk of anything, IMO.

Also, regarding the change in BSE recommendations. I would rather have my doctor tell me "SMG, that's just a plain ol' cyst in your breast there." Than to be pooh-poohed about the lump I'd hypothetically find only for it to turn out to be malignant. You can survive embarassment 100% of the time. Cancer? Not so much.