Routine Mammograms Before 50: Not Much Point

This is the author again. It's important to note that insurance reimbursement is guided by a lot of different factors and recommendations, of which USPSTF recs are just one. The American Cancer Society's guidelines also count, so it's unlikely that anything will change. I believe (but am not sure) that PSA tests, for example, are generally reimbursed for men starting at age 50--this despite the lack of endorsement by both the USPSTF and the ACS (which says it should be offered and the pros and cons discussed, but does not recommend it for all men).

And again, to be consistent, if these changes are laid at the feet of health care reform/the Obama Administration, recs against the PSA test made by the USPSTF should be tied to the previous administration, and so on. My point is that the USPSTF is notoriously independent. Putting all talk of cost aside, there is a clinical debate amongst docs, researchers, women with breast cancer and advocacy organizations over the science of this, and there are well-intentioned, intelligent, caring people on both sides of the debate. That's why it's called a controversy!

Katherine Hobson of NY 1:50PM November 17, 2009

The USPSTF report will provide the ammo needed by the insurance industry to stop paying for mammograms thus allowing them to save billions in health care costs. More women won't get mammograms because they won't be able to afford them. Breast cancer and the mortality rate of BC will increase. Drug companies will see increased profits as more cancer fighting drugs are required.

The winners? Drug and Insurance companies. The losers? You, your mother, sister, daughter, friend, niece, grandmother, aunt, cousin.......

margaret kelnberger of MD 1:08PM November 17, 2009

This is Katherine Hobson, the author of this story. I really don't think you can lay this at the feet of health care reform any more than you can tie the recommendations on prostate cancer screening (updated in 2008) to the Bush Administration or the members of Congress at that time. The USPSTF is independent and occasionally makes controversial recommendations that are at odds with what other groups say. Mammograms are extremely popular and their point is that they have been oversold to women in terms of what they can and cannot do. Everyone agrees to that, pretty much. The question is where to go from the knowledge that mammography is imperfect. The USPSTF goes one way and the American Cancer Society goes the other. Lots of controversy among doctors and breast cancer advocacy organizations themselves on this point.

Katherine Hobson of NY 6:54AM November 17, 2009

I really find the two comments from Laura of NJ and Crasty of AL ridiculous! Do your research or read the news instead proposing propaganda.

Nell of CA 11:45PM November 16, 2009