Breaking Through the Mammography Controversy

Individualized Decision Between Woman and Her Provider is the Best Choice for Screening

Breaking Through the Mammography Controversy

“The controversy around mammography emphasizes that the best decision on screening is made by a woman and her health care provider. Balancing a woman’s individual medical history, risks, and concern level about breast cancer is a decision at the individual level using guidelines as a guide and not as something fixed in concrete,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. “As a woman I want to make the decision about screening with my health care provider. Secretary Sebelius has offered assurance to the American people that she would work to ensure that such choice would not be limited by health insurance coverage policy.”
Dr. Delgado encouraged women to, “Talk to your health care provider about the risks of false positives that result from regular screening and radiation risks associated with screening and how to balance that with the benefits that mammography offers, particularly for women with higher risks for breast cancer.” According to Dr. Delgado, “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has provided us with the best in available science, but the best decision will always be made by you and your health care provider. The Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that you will always have that choice.”

For women without access to a regular health care provider, the Alliance’s toll-free and bilingual Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline (1-866-SU-FAMILIA or 1-866-783-2645) is available to offer referral to low-cost and no-cost health services in a caller’s area. The service is available 9am to 6pm eastern standard time, Monday through Friday.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States. The Alliance represents thousands of Hispanic health providers across the nation providing services to more than 15 million each year, making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities and families. For more information, call the Alliance’s Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 or visit www.hispanichealth.org.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health