By now, most of you have probably heard about the suggested new standards for breast cancer screening; including raising the age from forty to fifty, performing tests less frequently, and perhaps even having doctors stop teaching women to self-examine for lumps. There are reasons cited by people on both sides of this subject. There are those who argue for more screening while opponents quote statistics, numbers and percentages to justify their recommendations. Both sides agree that if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, the new recommendations do not apply to you.
Some articles suggest that insurance companies are behind this push towards reduction in exams and testing. We feel strongly about reducing the costs of healthcare, but we categorically deny the idea that money should be saved at the expense of quality of care. The place to cut excess isn’t in the delivery of quality healthcare, but in the parasites that have been bleeding the medical profession dry all these years.
We at Medical Justice recognize that this is a personal decision, and one which must be made on a case-by-case/patient-by-patient basis. We find merit to the basis of the recommendation, but also recognize that each individual patient’s circumstances are different. If you have concerns about the subject, it is best that you have a heart-to-heart talk with your physician. Make sure the doctor is aware of your family’s medical history, and your own feelings about the subject.
