Prevention has always been the best way to maintain good health. Frequent doctor visits, preventative testing and early intervention has shown to reduce medical problems and in many cases mortality. For years that has been the mantra of the medical profession which has been supported by all the data and research. Why then did we all hear in November of 2009 that it is now being recommended that women start getting mammography’s AFTER the age of 50 instead of 40, get them every two years instead of one and NOT to do self breast exams.

The answer that we are being told is that the early and frequent procedures, which was detecting issues and leading to early treatment, may have also resulted in too many and in some cases unnecessary therapies. While I can understand not wanting treatments that are not required if the alternative is deaths because of undiagnosed cancer, most people will chose the procedures.

I believe that this has been pushed not by the medical needs of the patients, but by the insurance industry wanting to reduce its’ cash outlay. By pushing screenings back 10 years it would be able to substantially cut back on office visits, testing and surgeries that they now pay for. Even self breast exams that have no downside, can lead to a greater insurance pay out and thus they want to advise against them.

My suggestion is to always advise early detection, but be more careful on the therapy end. Perhaps follow cases more closely if there is a question whether treatment is needed, but always be ready to treat when needed. The alternative seems to be throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is despicable that the very lives of our loved ones are being sacrificed for the saving of money by insurance companies. The time has come for us to think with our heads not our wallets, and start using common sense which seems to be lacking in the insurance industry and many layers of government.