Have Y'all Heard This News About Mammograms?

[Teresa]

I think these recommendations from the panel of primary care clinicians/MDs are very short sighted, especially given the fact that their mission is to evaluate and advise on the effectiveness of clinical preventive medicine. here are the highlights as given on CNN:

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated mammography guidelines
• New recommendation: No routine screenings for women 40 -49; instead talk to doc
• For women ages 50 to 74, mammography screenings every two years
• American Cancer Society, other experts don't agree with new guidelines

Thank you Scooty for pointing out that these are recommendations from a panel of MDs who are saying that routine mammograms may not be necessary for all women between 40-50. Its hard to sort through the panels and what their roles are in the US health care system (what health care system? the current disease based medical system or the current some have it and some don't health insurance system?). but from everything I've seen and heard on the report, it is clear that these recommendations change nothing, at least for now. though it could change how insurance companies cover mammograms in the future. I think there will be a lot more discussion before any of that happens. especially since American Cancer Society and other experts do not agree with these recommendations.

Dr Gupta explains:
Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

yes, old mammogram technology did cause high anxiety and unnecessary biopsies and lumpectomies (I can attest). however, the newer digital technology has been a whole new story - its so much easier, better imaging and no more unnecessary scares, at least for me over the last 3-4 years.

This recommendation does not change a thing for now but could in the future (I certainly hope the mammogram remains one of several important tools in detecting breast cancer for women of any age - and I look to advanced technologies to make detection far more effective, easier, and perhaps less expensive in the long run.

no matter what happens however, it won't change anything for my friends with little or no health insurance who will get no mammogram regardless of their age.

 

[Beach Runner]

This whole thing really TICKS ME OFF. It appears that the cost versus benefit ratio is so high that some number-crunching folks decided those who could benefit aren't worth it.Hello, health care rationing! BTW are they also cracking down on PSA tests, too? And btw are men required to have their balls smashed to be tested like women's breasts are subjected to in a mammo? ARGH! Another issue I'm ticked about.

So, insurance pays for Viagra, etc., to make a man's ***** hard, yet I promise you that insurance will now stop paying for yearly mammos. And don't get me started on infertility treatments -- none of my insurance companies would pay for that, yet they'll pay for meds for sexual pleasure for males. Not fair.

 

[Lynnie]

It's a Federally Funded Panel!

Fishy!

 

[jpbhen]

no matter what happens however, it won't change anything for my friends with little or no health insurance who will get no mammogram regardless of their age.[/quote]

it would be roughly $30/month to have a mammogram, self-funded, each year. so - $15/month to do it every two years. some things are worth it.

 

[Lynnie]

no matter what happens however, it won't change anything for my friends with little or no health insurance who will get no mammogram regardless of their age.

it would be roughly $30/month to have a mammogram, self-funded, each year. so - $15/month to do it every two years. some things are worth it.[/quote]

Yes, $30/mo. is exactly what you would pay out of pocket with no ins. carrier negotiation. I'd pay that.....and, have. Strange that this has come up just before the health bill goes before Senate. Nominal costs no matter how you look at it.

 

[Santiago]

This whole thing really TICKS ME OFF. It appears that the cost versus benefit ratio is so high that some number-crunching folks decided those who could benefit aren't worth it.Hello, health care rationing! BTW are they also cracking down on PSA tests, too? And btw are men required to have their balls smashed to be tested like women's breasts are subjected to in a mammo? ARGH! Another issue I'm ticked about.

So, insurance pays for Viagra, etc., to make a man's ***** hard, yet I promise you that insurance will now stop paying for yearly mammos. And don't get me started on infertility treatments -- none of my insurance companies would pay for that, yet they'll pay for meds for sexual pleasure for males. Not fair.

I beg your pardon Beach Runner but I thought Viagra was for the woman's sexual pleasure.

 

[Beach Runner]

I beg your pardon Beach Runner but I thought Viagra was for the woman's sexual pleasure.

Hopefully both participants.

 

[Lynnie]

I just got a mammogram and have learned that I have to go in for additional testing. The mammogram picked something up that my physician did not - nor have I. I am certain it's nothing, but would rather be cautious than what is being suggested by the new standards. I can also promise that this extra testing will not be $6K as the federally funded panel has reported.....erroneously, in my opinion. I will share the costs here. So far the mammogram was $283 with a negotiated rate of $183, paid at 100% since it is preventive/wellness.

Yes, I am nervous, but also very strong.

 

[Beach Runner]

I just got a mammogram and have learned that I have to go in for additional testing. The mammogram picked something up that my physician did not - nor have I. I am certain it's nothing, but would rather be cautious than what is being suggested by the new standards. I can also promise that this extra testing will not be $6K as the federally funded panel has reported.....erroneously, in my opinion. I will share the costs here. So far the mammogram was $283 with a negotiated rate of $183, paid at 100% since it is preventive/wellness.

Yes, I am nervous, but also very strong.

Go to Breast Care Specialists Breast Care Specialists at Pill Hill in ATL. It takes hours for each appointment, but it's worth it because they give you results before you leave so you don't have to be scared every time the phone rings for a call telling you that you're gonna die. They are all females, so they get it.

You are so tiny -- I'll bet that you have dense tissue. I had that happen once -- the smashing caused the tissue to fold and gave a funky result.

Praying that U B OTAY.

Love,
BR

 

[Lynnie]

Go to Breast Care Specialists Breast Care Specialists at Pill Hill in ATL. It takes hours for each appointment, but it's worth it because they give you results before you leave so you don't have to be scared every time the phone rings for a call telling you that you're gonna die. They are all females, so they get it.

You are so tiny -- I'll bet that you have dense tissue. I had that happen once -- the smashing caused the tissue to fold and gave a funky result.

Praying that U B OTAY.

Love,
BR

Thank you, BR. I will mention them to my dr. tomorrow. I usually do everything at Piedmont, but will certainly go where I can receive the absolute best care and technology. They are so aggressive with breast health, I have no doubt that my dr. will get me in tomorrow (I just received the letter yesterday from the radiologist group). I really just want to plan my Christmas Dinner Party, but will squeeze this in~~~~~~~~~ ;-)