Mammogram Policy to Stay the Same

If you’re wondering what’s wrong with the US Preventive Services Task Force, you’re probably not alone. The task force, composed of 16 health care experts that reviewed medical data, announced earlier this week that women ages 40-49 should perhaps not bother getting a mammogram (CNN: “Task force opposes routine mammograms for women age 40-49″).

Their reasoning is essentially that it doesn’t save enough lives and causes anxiety over false positives and unnecessary biopsies. Only 15% of women in their 40s are diagnosed with breast cancer via mammograms. Isn’t that enough?

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius commented on the controversy stirred by the task force. She told women to keep doing what they’ve been doing for years and to talk with their doctors about the decision to have a mammogram. Sebelius also noted that the task force doesn’t set federal policy, but that insurance companies often look to them for guidance. However, she indicated that she doubts any health insurance companies will change their guidelines as result of the task force findings (CNN: “U.S. health chief: No change on mammogram policy”).

Has the damage been done though? Will women in their 40s take the task force’s new policy to heart and stop having mammograms? I’m personally rather amazed that the US Preventive Services Task Force would make such a striking recommendation against mammograms, which detect the most common cancer women face. Plus, none of the experts on the panel are oncologists! I would not be surprised if they reversed their opinion.

By the way, if you feel you need a mammogram and you’re under the age that it’s covered by your insurance company, don’t give up. There’s a difference between preventative and diagnostic mammograms. If you have special concerns, your mammogram may be covered with a diagnostic code.

How do you feel about getting a mammogram before age 50?

(Image via WikiMedia Commons)