Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Breast Cancer Screening: Let's Laugh!

U.S. Preventivate Services Task Force -USPSTF-, on Monday, released new raccomendations for women getting mammograms.

USPSTF now says that women who are not at risk (lack a family history of the disease) should get mammogram once every two years starting at age 50. Here is the reasons (they say):
  • mammograph yeld modest benefits -don't make me laugh-;
  • wholesale screening puts women at risk for unnecessary medical treatments.

Before considering above points, I have a question: Who can be considered risk free?

Let's talk about the first point: USPSTF's collected data tell us that screening reduces the breast cancer death rate by 15%. Do you think 15% is not enoguht? Do you think 15% is not relevant?

I think ONE live spared is relevant!
I think US people think the same!
I'm sure GOD thinks the same.



Let's talk about the second point: USPSTF experts tell us that unclear or false results (we are talking about mammograph) can cause doctors to perform invasive tests like biopsies: they can cause patients to suffer extreme anxiety. I agree with them: I don't like needles, scalpes and I hate injections; but if I have to deal with cancer/death I prefer deal with anxiety!

By the way, before you get to do a biopsy why don't you think to do another mammograph in another medical center subjecting it to another specialist (doctor)?

I am an Italian citizen who speaks English badly (and writes it worse!) attending and working with medical researchers: when they read this news have expressed their total dissatisfaction.

They say that women over 40 y.o. have to get their annual mammograms.

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