By Michael Rudolph

GUAM - A recent study released by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, rather than at the American College of Obstectricians and Gynecologists-recommended age of 40.

This recommendation has struck a nerve with the general public, particularly women and doctors both nationally and on Guam. The controversial recommendations do not have the capacity to directly change how mammograms are covered by an insurance company, but they certainly have influenced at least one local insurance company to review its coverage options and triggered a local OB/GYN to oppose the ten year hold-off. The issue is a growing national concern.

Dr. Thomas Sheih, a board certified fellow of the The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) told the Guam News Factor, "we simply cannot just tell patients to not do breast exams, or doctors to stop doing breast exams for those under 50 years old. That's not [a] very sound recommendation."

As a member of the ACOG, Dr. Sheih said that "I...really question the November 17th USPSTF study and their recommendations, I will continue to follow ACOG-recommended screenings," which set the starting age for mammography exams at 40 years old, not 50. In fact, the ACOG is currently evaluating the study and recommendations of the USPSTF.

Dr. Shieh also shares the concern that the study may affect insurance coverage for early detection of breast cancer.

According to Dr. Shieh, the USPSTF recommendation has given a "C" rating "against routine screening mammography for women aged 40-49...some insurers will cover only preventative services rated as an "A" or a "B" by the USPSTF."

This means that a group of people with a "C" rating is considered less likely to develop breast cancer than a group rated with an "A" or "B." Some insurance policies use the USPSTF rating system to determine who is covered for what treatment.

Shieh answered his own question when he said that "in essence, insurance companies could deny patients in getting their mammograms until they are 50 years old."

The Guam News Factor confirmed that the national study has caught the attention of at least one local insurance company, Calvo's SelectCare. According to Frank Campillo, SelectCare's health care plan administrator, the USPSTF has "their medical directors who are practicing medical individuals" reviewing the USPSTF recommendation and "at the moment our company has not made any changes to the current policy as to how we cover mammography."

"Any changes that we may make to these policies will be properly conveyed to the public but at the moment no changes will be made." Thirty (30) days notice is the amount of time Select Care customers will likely have if this sort of change were to occur.

In order for healthcare to be reformed Campillo believes that "what this country needs to realize is that we need to control health care expenditures and probably go back to things that are evidence based medicine and try to control the costs that way." The New York Times reported that the USPSTF "believe[s] that raising the age range would help prevent overtreatment." This can be clarified from a quote from CNN's coverage: "with its new recommendations, the [task force] is essentially telling women that mammography at age 40 to 49 saves lives, just not enough of them," said Dr. Otis Brawley, the group's chief medical officer."

The USPSTF study has received such violent public push back that it prompted Secretary Kathleen Sebellius of the US Department of Health and Human Services to issue a statement clarifying that the USPSTF is not a government entity and that there is no intention to change current federal government policies for addressing early detection of breast cancer.

Read The New York Times story, "Sebelius on Mammograms: Don't Change What You're Doing", November 18, 2009.

Read the CNN story, "U.S. health chief: No change on mammogram policy", November 18, 2009.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Comments

Add New Search

Write comment

Name: Email:  do not notifynotify Website: Title: UBBCode:         -color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge     Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

OneTimeGunner  - OneTimeGunner   |2009-11-19 15:56:28 Insurance and Obama - wow, what a bad mix. My wife is sticking to every year. Her sister MADE her doctor in her HMO order a mammogram. She is one of the lives saved. Her kids think it was worth it. Mr. Campillo and his Calvo insurance needs to listen to Dr. Sheih. He knows what it means to save lives, not money! Bravo Dr. Sheih! Reply | Quote 1   0

walter   |2009-11-20 22:25:07 Frank Campilo is only dealing with the science and facts. The decision he makes will be based on what is best for patients. I don't think he needs to play with lives to make money. Reply | Quote 1   0

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."