PLEASE ignore the recent report by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommending AGAINST routine screenings for Breast Cancer starting at age 40.
in 2007, 30% of ALL early detection Breast Cancers were found in people under 50.... THIRTY PERCENT!
The recommendation by that so-called non-partisan pannel was just a political ploy to de-rail Health Reform. EVERY major medical organization disputes it and STRONGLY encourages you to ignore it.
Women should have a baseline mammogram done at age 30 when the Breasts are most dense, then begin routine screening on an ANNUAL BASIS at age 40.
Women should perform Breast self exams at least once per month starting at age 30 and twice per month at age 40.
Men, who BTW make up 1% of all Breast Cancer cases, should also perform a self exam at least once per month.
The report released last month was deliberately timed to cause confusion and fear about governmental efforts to change the Health Care Insurance industry. It has VERY little basis in actualy PUBLIC HEALTH and this fact is punctuated by the number of professional groups and organizations that have come out forcefully AGAINST the flawed recommendations in it.
This report that has been UNIVERSALLY criticized by The American Cancer Society, The National Cancer Institute, The American College of Radiology, The American Board of Radiology, The American Society of Radiologic Technicians, The American Medical Association, The National Medical Association, The National Public Health Association and almost EVERY State Health Department in the Country.
PLEASE ignore it, and continue to get yourselves screened... and fellas, insist that the women in your lives do the same.
It could mean the difference between life and death.
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