Mammograms still vital in saving lives, HHS secretary says
WASHINGTON – Women should continue getting regular mammograms starting at age 40, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday, moving to douse confusion caused by a task-force recommendation two days earlier.
Sebelius issued her statement after a government panel’s recommendation on Monday, that said most women didn’t need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50.
That recommendation was a break with the American Cancer Society’s long-standing position that women should get screening mammograms starting at age 40.
The task force does “not set federal policy and they don’t determine what services are covered by the federal government,” Sebelius said.
Medicare, which covers older Americans and some younger ones who are disabled, provides women on Medicare coverage for an annual mammogram at age 40 and older.
Sebelius noted that there has been debate about the age at which routine 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,” she said. “Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action.”
