NORTH TEXAS — It’s a battle over boobs; more specifically, on when women should be screening for breast cancer.
On Monday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — they’re the experts appointed by the Federal Government — released their recommendation that women ages 50 to 74 should get routine screenings once every two years.
That contradicts the recommendation set by the American Cancer Society; they call for screenings starting at age 45 and every two years at 55.
So what’s age gotta do with it?
Well, besides catching any signs of cancer early, you should care because insurance companies often offer coverage based on the recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Congress doesn’t think it’s good to wait until age 50, recently asking insurers to start annual mammogram coverage beginning at age 40.
The question over age comes after criticism that false positive test results cause anxiety in women and the numbers don’t lie. In the U.S. alone, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
So ladies, it looks like it’s time to pay attention to the girls. It could save your life.
