United States Preventive Services Task Force came out with recommendations based on independent review of new data that women in their 40s should not get a mammogram, women over 50 only every other year, and that breast self exams have no real value (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html?partner=rss&emc=rss). The small increase in benefit from early and more frequent mammograms is outweighed by multiple risks, and those health care dollars can be better spent elsewhere.
Two things on this. One of course is a note of regret that we have lost one of the best excuses for local tv news anchors to say the word breast, and show video of those self-exams during sweeps. Second is to give props to Dr. Nancy Schniederman on The Today Show. I am often frustrated with the quality of science and health reporting on television, and have not always liked Dr. Nancy, but they put her in the first 15 minutes today and she took a clear and reasonable stand on what has proven to be a controversial report (The American Cancer Society has already come out against the Report, and the USPS is being accused of medical rationing and putting dollars ahead of women's lives). Nancy did a real good job explaining the data and the rationale, and her reporting should help cool down what could become a very overheated and irrational response. I can't always say this, but I thought they did a good job with this story on the Today Show and they deserve commendation. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
