Access to screening mammography: Priceless
One breast cancer death of a 40-year-old woman prevented by a mammogram spreads ripples of benefit beyond her life—to her family and across the community
As for insurers and the government? They often have unconscious, hidden agendas that undermine optimal functioning of the patient– physician relationship. And tort attorneys? Through an adversarial legal process, they work to fully rend the trust inherent in the patient–physician relationship. I trust the recommendations of our professional societies more than I trust the recommendations of insurance companies, government agencies, and tort attorneys.
What will I do in my practice?
With regard to screening mammography, I plan to continue to heed the long-standing recommendations of ACOG while I await publication of additional high-quality data and analysis.
ACOG’s recommendations5 are:
- screening mammography every 1 to 2 years for women 40 to 49 years old
- screening mammography annually for women 50 years and older
- breast self-exam can be recommended because it has the potential to detect palpable breast cancer.
In the end, preventing the unnecessary death of one 40-year-old woman with screening mammography has many positive—even priceless—benefits for her family and for her community.
