I know that there are varying opinions on the latest mammogram screening guidelines released recently by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and I appreciate the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
I realize there is concern from some, especially from women who may be worried about their health or who have a family history of breast cancer.
Despite this understanding, I think it is important to convey that I do agree with the panel’s recommendation and here’s why.
We cannot continue to pour resources into different sectors of healthcare when there is no evidence to back up a particular practice, screening or guideline. Screening thousands of women who do not have certain risk factors or who lack a family history of breast cancer does not make sense.
The new guidelines are simply pointing out that we need to take a more methodical approach in terms of who needs mammography screening.
This is not meant to “cheat” anyone from a screening that they truly need. That of course will still happen for those in a “high risk” category.
The new recommendation is about trimming waste from the healthcare system. It is about getting rid of procedures and services that are not needed and are not necessary.
Based on the firestorm from this one recommendation, you can see that healthcare reform will be tough to swallow for many Americans.
We have a long road ahead of us.
Kester Freeman blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.