Every Order Funds Mammograms

Vesta When Ray heard the new recommendations on screening for breast cancer, she had two words "is ridiculous."

Ray, 33, recently underwent a bilateral mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She found a piece by a self-examination, went to her doctor for a clinical examination and diagnostic mammogram which confirmed his fears.

Because his mother had breast cancer, Ray had requested a screening mammogram nine months earlier, but her gynecologist recommended - she believes it was fear that her insurance company would not cover it.

The new guidelines published by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend not teaching breast self-examination, that there is insufficient evidence that clinical examination is beneficial, and would not a woman a mammogram until they are at least 50 years.

Ray said she hopes her sister 36 years will ignore this recommendation and get a mammogram as soon as possible.

"I truly believe that being proactive with your health is important," said the resident of Rogersville.
False positives

Government Working Group has published the new recommendation statement in mid-November, updating a 2002 recommendation that women do self-examination, obtain clinical exams and get their first mammogram at age 40.

The committee concluded that all these methods took a risk of false positives.

"The disadvantages of screening for breast cancer psychological harm, unnecessary imaging tests and biopsies in women without cancer and disadvantages because of false positive screening results," the report read.

In 16 years working as a general surgeon at St. John's, Springfield, Dr. John Bumberry saw "a lot of breast cancer," and noted that these cases were far more advanced 16 years ago that today. He attributes that to "a radical change in the management and diagnosis."

He also saw more women successfully treated for breast cancer. In large part, he said, which is due to the widespread acceptance of mammography. "I'm concerned, if the proposed guidelines become the standard for care, we will see a significant increase of advanced breast cancer," he said, adds Bumberry is a greater risk of a false positive result in additional testing. Although no screening is perfect, he said, that does not exceed the benefits.

The fear that insurance will not cover mammograms for women under 50 is legitimate, said Bumberry, who stressed that the current legislation in the Senate of the United States indicates that Medicare government guarantee service coverage with a recommendation for classification A or B, but later that mammography recommendation for a grade C.

"Clearly, the field was set intentionally or not, for mammograms not be covered by government health plan," he said. "If the government does not cover, you can be sure that insurance companies will not be far behind."

The Missouri Department of Insurance recently announced that the latest directives have no effect on state laws on consumer protection, which require insurance coverage for mammograms - once the age of 35-39 years every two years between 40 and 49, and annually until 50.

The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks will also continue to fund annual screening mammograms for women 40 and over, and as also recommended by their healthcare provider, "said Crystal Webster, executive director of the Foundation.

Despite the new guidelines, Bumberry will continue ordering mammograms for patients in their 40s, including his wife.

"In my opinion, the only reason not to have a mammogram is whether you have no breasts," he said.
Biopsies

Dr. Bruce Hedgepeth, a radiologist B. St. John's