Nov 18, 2009 6:07 am US/Eastern
New Mammogram Advice Sparks Outrage On L.I.
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Some college students at Adelphi University pledged a sorority whose mission is to spread breast cancer awareness, but with the new testing advice from the government, they no longer know what to think.
"Waiting until you're 50? That doesn't seem right," one said. Another added, "I had a cousin who passed away from breast cancer at 30." And yet another said, "I think it's confusing because we don't know what to do."
Across the campus at Adelphi's Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline Center, volunteers were fielding calls from women across New York saying they were baffled about the startling new recommendations to delay mammograms until the age of 50, and then get screened only every two years until the age of 75.
"At 45 they found a tumor. Where would I be if I didn't have this yearly mammography? Would I still be here?" said Mary Sullivan, a Lido Beach mother and wife who survived a double mastectomy.
Cindy Arroyo was also in her 40's when her yearly mammogram revealed her breast cancer. "It was a very aggressive form. I had five different malignancies. I cant even imagine if I had waited two years."
Doctors who support the cutbacks, however, said only 15-percent of women under 50 were benefited by mammograms that more harm can come to younger women with false positives that trigger aggressive medical follow up, increased radiation, and overwhelming psychological anxiety for what turns out not to be cancer.
Others vehemently disagree. "Taking away a woman's option to protect her health and to get the screening she needs and deserves, we're going to lose lives because of this," said Hillary Rutter, director of the Hotline.
Rutter said cancers in younger women can be more aggressive and she finds it incredulous that breast self exam is no longer recommended. The task force that reached the new conclusions was appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
"How dare a panel? And insurance companies, that's what it's all about, it's about money. It's about saving costs and that's at the expense of women's lives," Rutter said.
The guidelines were not expected to have an immediate effect on insurance coverage. Congress requires Medicare to pay for annual mammograms which cost at least $125.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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