Help me write to my congressmen!!

hello everyone,

for my english class we have to write a 2 page letter to our congressmen reguarding an issue we would like to discuss. my mother has fought breast cancer 3 times in the past 3 1/2 years. i have started to write my letter reguarding the mammo guidlines but im stuck and need your help. if you would like to add something please let me know thank you!

Jeff Flake

1640 S Stapley

Suite 215

Mesa, AZ 85204

Dear Representative,

My name is Mallory; I am the 21-year-old daughter of 3 time breast cancer survivor. I am writing you in response to the recommendation for the age change for breast cancer screening.

I work for a third party company that authorizes radiology procedures for several insurance companies, so I know what is involved in getting a Breast MRI approved. Even though I am able to start my Breast Cancer screening at the age of 25, I don't think it is fair to others to have to wait until they turn 50 years old.  Changing the age for breast cancer screening from age 40 to age 50 would stop early detection of breast cancer.  According to the American cancer society 15% of women in their 40's detect breast cancer. If the age changed that would not permit women to detect breast cancer early. According to http://www.breastcancer.org.com/ if the age is changed to age 50, means younger women would be diagnosed later. Breast cancer in younger women tends to be more aggressive, so early diagnosis and treatment is more critical for them. It is the lives and futures of younger women that would be lost if the proposed changes are adopted. Just because someone does not have family history of Breast Cancer does not mean they will not get Breast Cancer. We had no Breast Cancer history in my family when my mother was first diagnosed. She found her lump by doing a self-exam. Breast Cancer is such a horrible disease why would you want to change the age and have a higher death rate and a lower percent of early breast caner detection?

Not only is the government thinking of changing the breast cancer screening age but they are thinking of changing peoples benefits when it comes to mammograms and other breast screenings. If this change is made women would still be getting mammograms but, the insurances will not need to cover it and would be paying for it twice, once for taxes and once for out of pocket.

I understand that it's possible the age maybe changed for breast cancer screening, but I think the government needs to listen to people who have fought, are currently fighting or family members who are going through it with someone in their family. As I was going through a discussion board on http://www.breastcancer.org/ titled sign the petition against the new mammography guidelines, about 85% of women who shared their story had found their cancer in their forties. There is not enough information to back up changing the age of early detection, it like they want more people to die in this world.  

Watching my mother fight Breast Cancer three times in the past 3 ½ years has changed me and the way I view life.