Mammograms?

So I'm sure by now everyone has heard about the new Mammogram guidelines that the US Preventive Services Task Force Recently released based on a review of the medical literature. They are recommending that regular screening for breast cancer in women begin at age 50, rather than the previously recommended screening beginning at age 40.


This doesn't effect me yet but one day it might and it worries me a little that many women out there could miss their chances at early diagnosis if they wait until age 50. This got me wondering...What harm does it do to get a mammogram just to make sure all is well?

I read an article in the NY Times that pretty much says that mammograms can show tiny abnormalities that are benign or that are so slow-growing that they'd never kill the individual. If it is cancerous then the treatment is surgery, radiation, hormone therapy or chemotherapy, all of which carry risks for the individual. The article also cited that the panel also said that Stress of whether an abnormalities is cancerous or not is another risk.

Now this is just my opinion, but I'd rather take the risk and get rid of the cancer than not have a mammogram and find the cancer until it's too late..What if the cancer I have isn't slow growing?? I really could care less about the stress that comes a long with it ...I'd rather have a little stress than die of something that could have been prevented. The panel also downplayed mammograms by saying said that only 1 out of 1,900 women that are screened are saved from death of breast cancer. I'd rather 1,900 women get a harmless mammogram than watch my mother, sister, or friend be that one life that isn't saved.

Anyway I wrote all of that because of an e-mail I got from one of the Health Insurance Providers that I represent. This was an letter that we are to give to our businesses that have group health insurance to pass along to their employees covered under their group insurance plan

Dear Employee:

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently released new guidelines for mammography screening based on a review of the medical literature. They are recommending that regular screening for breast cancer in women begin at age 50, rather than the previously recommended screening beginning at age 40.

(deleted)Healthcare Ins Co. considers mammography an important screening procedure, one that has resulted in the ability to detect and treat breast cancer at earlier stages of the disease and save lives. Many health and professional organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continue to recommend mammography screenings begin at age 40.

The decision of when to begin screening should be made in consultation between you, the plan member, and your personal physician. We will continue to offer coverage of screening mammograms when recommended by your physician.

In addition, ACOG has changed its guidance on cervical cancer screening, recommending less frequent screening for women in their 20s. As with mammography, (deleted)Healthcare Ins Co. recommends that this decision be made following a discussion between you and your physician, to determine the frequency of cervical cancer screenings. We are not changing its coverage for cervical cancer screening and will continue to offer coverage for this service when recommended by your physician.

If you have any questions about your coverage or plan benefits please feel free to call the Customer Care number listed on the back of your member ID card.

I just thought it was very loud statement that even Insurance Companies acknowledge that it is important to get screened if you feel the need(And I get complaints about every day on health companies not wanting to pay claims) and they will still pay for a yearly mammogramm and cervical screening even though the US Task preventative Services says it's not necessary.

What do you think about this topic?   I say go ahead and get a mamogramm if your doctor thinks it's necessary..heck I would get one just for my own peace of mind!