Reaction is Strong to Changes in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings – Cindy Carter
[click on the link to go to the FOX17 website and watch the video]
It’s something State Senator Mae Beavers takes very personally.
Senator Mae Beavers says, “You shouldn’t wait until you’re 50 years old to have a mammogram. That’s just absolutely ridiculous.”
Beavers, a breast cancer survivor, is referring to the recent controversial shifts in guidelines for screening cervical and breast cancer.
An independent federal task force now recommends women start mammograms at 50-rather than age-40 and also reduced the recommended frequency of both breast and cervical cancer screenings.
Beavers says, ” To me the danger in the findings women won’t go because insurance companies will try to find a way not to pay for it.”
Thats something republicans in washington are also pointing out as they debate the current Democratic-backed health care plan in the senate.
They believe a Washington-funded plan would adhere to these new guidelines and any other changes in medical guidelines. Republican Senator Kit Bond from Missouri says, “The question is who will make health care decisions? well, we’re seeing evidence..”
Washington Democrats point out this new finding is “not” part of their plan and, if anything, the bill focusses on early care. Democratic Senator, Jack Reed of Rhode Island says, ” A major part of this reform proposal is preventative care, and requiring insurance.”
Both the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and maury regional medical center are expressing their concerns:
MRMC SAYS, “We believe that the findings of this group can be misleading to younger women and are not consistent with what we see in our own patient population.”
… and Vanderbilt says, “Screening mammography has played an important role in the early detection and treatment of women with this form (breast) of cancer.”
Senator Beavers says her doctor, not the federal government, should make this call.
“Its not about being political. Its not about getting my face in front of a camera. Its a real life experience for me and you know.. if we can prevent one woman from going through what I wen through.. then I’ll get out in front of a camera every day.”
