Public Comments are needed! Women in their forties need to be heard…and screened!
On Monday, April 20, the United States Preventive Services Task Force released their recommendations for public comment. Once again, we will be battling for the health of women in their 40’s to be allowed to have mammography screening and have it covered by insurance!
This story is making national headlines and I guarantee women of all ages will start to question whether or not they really need a mammogram anymore.
The Task Force’s draft recommendation gives routine screening of women ages 40-49 a grade of “C” and gave a “B” grade to biennial screening for women 50-74. Therefore, women ages 40-49 who choose routine screening and those 50-74 who want to be screened annually would not be guaranteed coverage. Currently, the ACA requires private insurers to cover exams or procedures given a grade of “B” or higher by the USPSTF.
Adoption of the USPSTF recommendation would result in thousands of additional and unnecessary breast cancer deaths each year. Additionally, millions of women’s private insurance may no longer cover their mammogram.
We strongly oppose this recommendation! Public Outcry is the only chance we have to stop this recommendation from becoming official.
Time is short. We have until May 18 to do it. Any comments may be made directly to the USPSTF. It is a fairly straightforward process that can be accessed here: http://screeningforbreastcancer.org/submit-public-comment.
Why should you comment?
Because as a supporter of The Rose you know the impact of mammography and early detection. Or because you or someone you know was diagnosed with breast cancer that was detected through screening. Or because you know that we have enough confusion about screening and we don’t need another layer of ‘studies’ to make it worse!
At The Rose, nearly one-half of all the 350 women we diagnose each year are under age 50. (Our youngest was 19.) To tell women between the ages of 40-49 that a mammogram isn’t needed or should only be used based on their physician’s understanding (of the patient’s personal health and the physician’s knowledge of the benefits of mammography) is putting thousands of women at risk.
Following the USPSTF’s recommendations will mean women—young and old will die.
After the fiasco with this same group’s 2009 recommendations (which were similar), the number of women having annual screenings nationwide began to drop throughout the country and has continued to remain at an all-time low ever since. I remain convinced that that 2009 USPSTF recommendation alone carries the responsibility of women in their forties delaying having a mammogram and subsequently dealing with later stage cancers.
One study estimated that 6,500 women each year would die if the 2009 recommendation had been followed. That is not a number we can live with!
Other studies have said it isn’t ‘cost effective’ to screen younger women. Of course, if you or someone you love is one of those young women who becomes a death statistic, then studies don’t matter much.
The irony is Mammography Works! There has been a 30% decline in the mortality rate—30% fewer women are dying from the disease since 1990 when mammography became available to the vast majority and was ALSO covered by insurance and Medicare as an annual screening procedure!
We feel the USPSTF recommendations do not reflect the current state of screening or its advancements and will cause serious harm. In the public health arena, recommendations such as this one send a false and confusing message and do a disservice to women in general.
And, not all women have access to care, or to a personal physician to guide them.
At The Rose, our own employees are survivors or are currently in the middle of battling breast cancer. All would have delayed having a mammogram if these recommendations had been official.
If you or anyone you know was diagnosed before she turned 50 years old, please help us oppose these recommendations.
Remember we only have until May 18 to post comments directly to the USPSTF. The most powerful story is your personal one—either from your own battle or through someone you know.
Here is hoping our voices will lead to changes.
Thank you.
Dorothy Gibbons
CEO & Co-Founder
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