Nov. 17: 'Stunned' By Mammogram Recommendation

I have to say I am stunned. A government task force just released a study stating that most women don't need mammograms in their 40's and shouldn't be taught to do self breast exams. As a 42 year old woman with breast cancer -- who found her own lump -- this is shocking.

So many of us grew up knowing at age 40 we get a mammogram -- and we get them every year. The reversal in this new study says women should start getting mammograms at age 50, every two years. I am saddened this will leave many women confused about what to do. Not only that, it may lead to insurance companies changing policy.

Upon hearing this news I had to call Dr. Kara Carlson. She is the director of the Breast Center at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland and also sits on the board of directors for the Puget Sound affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Just this morning Dr. Carlson looked at Evergreen's data on breast cancer that dates back to 1977. She found that 30-percent of all breast cancers diagnosed at Evergreen were found in women under the age of 50. What would we tell those women about this new study, she asked me. Dr. Carlson reminded me that there is no perfect tool, but mammograms are the gold standard and in a lot of cases are able to find breast cancer early. Early detection is the key to long term survival. It could also mean you save yourself from needing a mastectomy or even chemotherapy.

Dr. Carlson is extremely disappointed and frustrated by the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force's study. She says the women who came into Evergreen this morning for their annual mammograms were outraged, shocked and many said "how dare they deny me my annual mammogram?!"

That is what Dr. Carlson fears the most. She worries insurance companies and policy makers will now decide to only cover mammograms at age 50, every other year. She tells me the timing couldn't be any worse -- with the economy the way it is she says many women won't shell out the hundreds of dollars for a mammogram every year if it is no longer covered by insurance.

The government panel of doctors and scientists also said doing self breast exams aren't worth it, saying they could cause undue worry and unnecessary biopsies. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in July I have personally met more than a dozen women who found their own cancer by doing self checks every month. Once you get to know your breasts you know what feels 'normal' and what doesn't. These women are so thankful they did their self breast checks. They say they are alive today because of it.

The American Cancer Society is staying with its recommendation for an annual mammogram starting at age 40. Susan G. Komen for the Cure's website says women should approach this new study calmly, do more homework, talk to our doctors and decide what's best.

Until next time, Michelle

Read Michelle's previous blogs and see photos at KIROTV.com/MichelleMillman