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You can read all about the debate over whether women should be getting screened for breast cancer before the age of 50. I for one thinks is pretty irresponsible for the any governmental or pseudo-governmental agency or committee to make such a recommendation. It wreaks of some bullshit cost-cutting measure and I don’t know how many young women (mothers, sisters, wives) would be gone today had they not gone and had that screening done and been given that fateful diagnosis by their health care provider. How many, Washington? 1, 10, 1000? In my opinion, whatever the number it is too many.

I did some research and gathered some interesting perspectives on this debate that I thought I would share. I’d like to say now that my purpose of aggregating these was not because I agreed with them all, but because I wanted to provide as many different perspectives as possible.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Breast Cancer: Radiologists Need to Do More Reading

There’s More to Mammography Than A Quick Scan

News Hub: Making Sense of New Mammogram Guidelines

From Koman Advocacy Alliance:

Click below to email your senators and tell them that clinical trials have overwhelming support from cancer advocates and must be included in the final Senate health bill:

Help expand access to clinical trials!

As breast cancer advocates for millions of women and men, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance believes that there should be no impediments to mammography screening for women aged 40 and above.  Despite the recent change in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the evidence shows that mammograms save lives in women 40 and over.

Sign the petition and help ensure that all women have access to this lifesaving screening:

Ensure women have access to mammograms

From Google News:

High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients Skip MRIs

Sen. Dan Foster: Cancer screening choices

While many experts suspect being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet or being physically inactive can increase the incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer, the theory has been difficult to actually prove. But a top Susan G. Komen for the Cure® scientific staff member has just published an article in a leading scientific journal detailing how such proof can be obtained.

Cancer patients and survivors have some of the most challenging experiences with our health care system, at a time in their lives when they are most vulnerable.

Congress is moving quickly to draft health care reform legislation, but we need your help to ensure President Obama and Congress consider the needs of people diagnosed with breast cancer – and all cancers – as part of the health care reform package.

Help us reach 50,000 signatures in support of health care reform that meets the needs of cancer patients and survivors.

Under our current system, cancer patients face many unique challenges that go beyond fighting their disease.

Severe underfunding has created huge gaps in access to federal and state early detection and treatment services. High cost sharing, and annual and lifetime maximums, mean even cancer patients with insurance can face high out-of-pocket costs. Patients who have to cut back on their hours to undergo treatment risk losing their jobs and their insurance. And survivors who wish to obtain private insurance often find it difficult due to their so-called “pre-existing condition.”

That’s why the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance is calling on President Obama and Congress to consider the needs of cancer patients by including these key priorities:

• Increase the investment in federal and state programs that provide cancer screening, treatment and patient navigation services for underserved populations.
• Protect cancer patients who have health insurance from excessive out-of-pocket costs that may lead to severe financial hardship and even bankruptcy.
• Ensure access to affordable, high-quality health insurance for all, including people with “pre-existing” conditions like cancer – so everyone can continue to have health insurance, even if they lose or change jobs.
• Enhance the quality and value of health care by focusing on prevention, wellness and chronic disease management.
• Address the chronic shortage of cancer care specialists, particularly in underserved areas.

Help make sure these priorities are part of health care reform. Sign the petition today!

As Congress considers health care reform legislation, our elected officials have a unique opportunity to address the long-standing concerns of people with cancer, which have all too often been overlooked by the U.S. health care system.

There’s no time to waste – Congress is debating the legislation as we speak. Click here to take action now.

New drugs known as PARP inhibitors are showing promise as treatments for some of the most aggressive types of breast cancer, according to results from early studies. Eric Winer, M.D., our Chief Scientific Advisor, says he’s “extraordinarily encouraged” and new clinical trials may start this summer.