Secy Sebelius re: mammograms: “our policies remain unchanged “

November 18, 2009

Secy Sebelius & Ann Curry (video)

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius put out a statement today to counteract the nuts at the Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), who decided less screening is better preventative medicine for women age 40-49.

USPSTF recommendations

Cost-benefit analysis. How many lives saved vs how many dollars wasted on the statistically non-sick.

And why are women being told to stop examining their breasts?

Because if they find a lump they’re just gonna get all hysterical and cost the insurance companies money.

barry’s looking for a way to not have to pay for healthcare and $100 x women age 40-49 x 10 years is worth funding studies and putting together a task force.

Secy Sebelius:

There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country. I want to address that confusion head on.

The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don’t determine what services are covered by the federal government.

Truth: USPSTD is under the Dept of Health and Human Services. The task force’s recommendations are considered the “gold standard”. Who are they? Academics, insurance companies, HMO and of course the CDC, who seems to be everywhere lately. Not a single cancer specialist – breast or otherwise.

Secy Sebelius:

There has been debate in this country for years about the age at which routine screening mammograms should begin, and how often they should be given.

The Task Force has presented some new evidence for consideration but our policies remain unchanged.

Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action.

What is clear is that there is a great need for more evidence, more research and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect, and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years — talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you.

Don’t need a task force for that. Just a co-pay.

Tags: AHRQ, breast cancer, breast cancer screening, cancer prevention, cancer screening, Department of Health and Human Services, health care reform, mammogram recommendations, mammograms, mammography, Preventive Services Task Force, secretary of health and human services kathleen sebelius, secretary sebelius, US Preventive Services Task Force, women's cancer treatment,

Secy Sebelius re: mammogram recommendations (video)

November 19, 2009

Secretary Sebelius is put on the spot by Ann Curry about the new USPSTF recommendations.

Sebelius written statement – HHS not changing policies.

Tags: AHRQ, breast cancer, breast cancer screening, cancer prevention, cancer screening, Department of Health and Human Services, health care reform, mammogram recommendations, mammograms, mammography, Preventive Services Task Force, secretary of health and human services kathleen sebelius, secretary sebelius, US Preventive Services Task Force, USPSTF, women's cancer treatment,

Night shift "probable" risk for breast cancer

March 16, 2009

Did you know working at night is considered a risk factor for breast cancer?

In October 2007, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, concluded that night work is "probable" cancer risk and classified it as a Group 2A risk.

It is felt to be due to the disruption in light-dark cycle. Melatonin is produced in the dark cycle and is an anti-oxidant that scavenges for dangerous chemicals that may lead to illness. So if one is awake during the dark cycle, melatonin levels are lower and there is a potential for harmful chemicals to wreck havoc.

All hypothesis at this point.

The American Cancer Society hasn't officially classified it as a risk, though night shift workers are at increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, sleep and mood disorders as well as occupational injuries.

Most affected are folks who shift between shifts, instead of working just one or the other, like nurses.

In Denmark, 38 women with breast cancer have received compensation via their employers' insurance companies. To qualify, they had to have worked at least 1 night shift a week for 20-30 years. Breast cancer was identified because they had been studying women and flight attendants .

There is a suggestion that there may also be an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Sources: CNN, eCancerMedicalScience, Independent

For the curious, here are some of the things on the IARC List.

Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans (105)

Arsenic, asbestos, benzene, Epstein-Barr virus, estrogen therapy, ethanol (drinking alcohol), Hepatitis B/C, HIV 1, solar radiation, X and gamma rays, Japanese salted fish, wood dust, chewing tobacco, first and second hand smoke, chimneysweep, paving, roofing and rubber industry.

Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans (66)

Chemotherapy (Adriamycin & Cisplatin), inorganic lead compounds, Kaposi's sarcoma, nitrogen mustard gas, ultraviolet rays A-C, sunbeds/sunlamps, diesel exhaust, hairdresser, barber, shiftwork involving circadian disruption and emissions from high-temperature frying.

Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (248)

Antimony, cobalt, DDT, isoprene, lead, magnetic fields, naphthalene (mothballs), nickel, phenobarbital, styrene, pickled vegetables, welding fumes, carpentry, firefighter, printing processes and textiles manufacturing.

Group 3: Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans (515)

para-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA), acrylic fibers, Ampicillin, caffeine, carrageenan, chlorinated water, coal dust, fluorescent lighting, malathion, polyvinyl chlorine (PVC), prednisone, tannic acid, Vitamin K, crude oil, jet fuel, petroleum jelly and glass, leather, lumber and paper manufacturing.

Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans (1)

Caprolactam

Why just one?