New Guidelines Rebuffed By Both Women and Doctors

Many news media outlets reported today that patients have been calling the breast center at New York Hospital Queens. They're confused and mad about controversial new guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.  It was widely reported this week that the USPSTF recommends  50 as the starting age for mammograms. But this makes no sense to many patients, even and doctors who risk staring down the barrel of a personal injury claim for no, or late, diagnosis of breast cancer. 

While many insurance companies have said they won't immediately change their coverage of mammograms, concerned women can see the writing on the wall.  Despite assurances from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the government's policies are "unchanged," my take on this is that it will only be a matter of time before insurance companies stop covering tests for women under 50.

Doctors all over the city are telling patients to ignore the new guidelines issued by a panel appointed by federal officials and to make sure that any woman 40 or older gets an annual mammogram.  The New York City Health Department is also playing it safe by sticking by its standing recommendation that mammograms begin at age 40.

While few, if any women, will acknowledge the vital role they play, New York medical malpractice lawyers are a big reason why any entity with a financial stake in the business of breast cancer detection and treatment will think twice before they begin enforcing this new findings and put a woman's life at risk.