Is it politically motivated?

Well, I think it is not really a good idea to just have a mammo without a 'doctor's permission'.  That could lead to a lot of problems.  That is why we have doctors. 

However, I will repeat.  Yes, we can get a mammo when we want one, at any age.

That is my biggest concern as well, discouraging women from doing SBE...that is just negligent. I

You need to be 50 to go to the screening clinic and register for the program.  Neither PIP nor I have denied this.  But you can go to your doc to get a mammo less than 50.  Good grief, I had one!!

Did you notice the italics she put around the word screening?  I think I explained that in a previous post.  The "screening" program is an entirely different thing.  It is an appointment set up for you every year after you turn 50.  You sign up for the program.  It is not 'automatically' done.  It is a choice whether or not to join.  If you do not join the program, it does not effect your ability to have regular mammos done.  And it does not mean, in any way, shape or form, that you are not able to have regular mammos at an earlier age.  

So if you reread her post, you will see that she is talking about a program that is offered.  Some women do not feel it necessary to join as they are already receiving their regular mammos through their family doctor.

When she says "good luck getting  them on a yearly basis before 50", I would tell her that she needs to either ask her doctor about it or find herself a new one.  Again, I do not know anyone (and I do know a lot of Canadian women) who has EVER been denied a mammo before the age of 50.  

http://46in08.blogspot.com/2009/04/doctor-shortages-in-america.html

No shortages for those with the right insurance coverage. 

The new "buzz" words I've been hearing over and over again (which are used in this task force's new recommendation) is "EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE". The first time I heard this was from an obstetrical gynecologist who refused to perform a hysterectomy on me even though I had a thickened endometrium - cysts on my ovaries - a growing fibroid - and a history of breast cancer. He kept telling me (rudely) that "you are in the same risk category as every other woman and I follow evidence-based medicine so you don't need a hysterectomy." I was absolutely shocked by his attitude...........other doctors would have performed a hysterectomy with even fewer problems......however, I ended up changing my mind anyway because of a B9 endometrial biopsy. Still it shocked my mind that a doctor would spout out words like "evidence based medicine" without any consideration of ME as an individual. Where was his compassion and concern for me, his PATIENT?!! When did doctors and scientists become ACTUARIANS?!

So whenever I see or hear "evidence-based medicine" I am NOT impressed! Instead - my stomach turns over! To me it's a term used as a "cop-out"..........doctors who don't care - who don't want to be bothered because their reimbursement rates are low.........doctors who went into medicine to become rich (I don't blame all our problems on the insurance companies; my dad worked for Medicaid Fraud..........the number of CROOKED doctors is absurd! I also worked for a large pharmaceutical company many years ago - they were researching cancer drugs as well as analgesics..........a big-shot doctor falsified patient records and was caught by the FDA........he lost his licence and the drug company lost MILLIONS of research dollars........and people like you and me lost out on years of an excellent pain control drug.)

Finally - if we are stuck with "evidence-based medicine" from now on in this brave-new-world, I hope and pray that more intellgent, ethical and unselfish young people will enter the world of science and medical research........from what I've read about other recommendations made by this task force, they don't recommend much of ANY screenings for ANY conditions because the "evidence" is just not there. So we need to get to work and compile more evidence..........or else dump the lot of them and go back to our mother's mother's mother's recommendations (used to be called "old-wives tales")  - in order to save our children's children's children.

A blog?  What makes your misinformation any more reliable?

But 2tzus -- there are Canadian women who are getting the mammos because they want them.  You tell your doc that you want one and it is scheduled.  It is so. I just don't get why you don't believe women with direct experience in this.  Sigh...

Edit:  I said you needed to see your doc to get the mammo scheduled.  That's all I can think of.  And that the program is for 50+ women.

One or two years now is it?  Okay.  Sigh....

Agreed, the guidelines are different.  But they to not negate the fact that you can still get a mammo.  The doctors are not bound by them if the patient wants one (nor by insurance companies).  It's just how it is in Canada -- to get a test or to see a specialist you go through your family doc.

Big sigh for all of us!!!!

I know there are those who don't like the idea of needing a referral here to see a specialist or to have a mammo...or, as 2tzus prefers to call it, a "gatekeeper".

But, in many ways it is a safeguard (and I mean that in the nicest, kindest way!).  What happens when a patient with hypochondriacal tendencies decides it's in her best interests to have a mammo every 6 months or trots from doc to doc to specialist to specialist looking for someone to solve her imaginary health problems?

But, more to the point, why is it such an advantage, 2tzus, to be able to walk into a mammo clinic without a referral to get a screening mammo, when we, as adults, can go to our doc here and get a referral for a diagnostic mammo?  I just don't see the point you're trying to make.

It is scary -- I just read an article in Newsweek that insurance companies will use the guidelines to deny mammos.  I really hope they get tossed out with the dirty bathwater if they can be used against women and their health. 

konakat.."myth". I told you I KNOW someone who died in Canada awaiting treatment because the wait list was so long. And you respond by saying that is "another myth"??? Where do you get that? Are you saying my friend is alive and well and I don't know it? Also, Canadain doctors have been on television here in the US discussing this issue and have cautioned Americans about changing to healtcare system like Canada's. No system is perfect, unless there is incredible wealth. Please do not call my friend's death a "myth".

I'm very sorry about your friend -- it's a terrible thing to have happened.  I meant the myth that is it a common occurance, women dying from waiting.  I should have phrased it better, my apologies for the hurt I have caused you.

From my experiences of both systems, both have good and bad.  But my preference by far is the Canadian system.  Just MHO.