Government vs. Breast Cancer - Gary Newberry, Florida House District 66

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 21, 2009 -- The U S Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) is touting no self breast exams, no regular mammogram screenings of women 40-49 and mammograms only every other year for women over 50 and offers nothing for women 75 or over.

As the husband of a 2 year breast cancer survivor and the son of an 18 year breast cancer survivor I say “Bunk” to this absurd recommendation. Both my wife and mother were diagnosed via regular mammogram screenings. My mother was treated at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida and my wife was treated at Shands Cancer Center, Gainesville, Florida. My mother passed away last year from the ravages of cervical cancer and my wife is happy and cancer free 2 + years after her surgery and treatment. Had it not been for regular screenings the small tumors would have gone undetected with a very cruel disease process and eventual death.

As a chiropractic health care professional, my scope is focused on the musculoskeletal system but I encourage my lady patients to do self breast exams and follow the recommendations and guidelines of the American Cancer Association, Moffitt and Shands Cancer Centers with regard to regular mammograms. I talk openly with my daughters, both in their 30’s, about breast exams and staying keenly aware of the latest research and recommendations of Shands, Moffitt and American Cancer Society.

Research is advancing on this terrible disease and one day I am confident that we will have a cure. However, until then, early detection and treatment is saving lives.

After witnessing, first hand, the benefits of early detection and treatment and reading the research and clinical results of the same, I have to question the motive behind the recommendations of the U S Preventative Services Task Force. The first thought that came to mind: Are they stupid? But, then the real reason came to mind. The Government is trying to strengthen their hold on taking over health care.

The heart of the Government healthcare bill now being considered is cost cutting and health care rationing. This task force proposal condoning reduced mammograms is a veiled cost cutting proposal. By having a “Task Force” put their stamp of approval that mammograms are not necessary on an annual basis, the Government can justify their plans to not include annual mammograms in their healthcare bill.

Worse case scenario when the healthcare bill gets defeated: If the Government makes policy that annual exams and mammograms are not necessary you can bet the farm that the health care industry would seriously think about not covering annual exams and mammograms. It’s no secret that insurance providers often modify their coverage in accordance with what comes down the pike from Washington and Medicare. When the head nods in Washi

breast cancer     Florida District 66     health care bill     mamogram     Newberry