Letter: Why delay mammograms?
Helen Darling of the San Antonio Silver Stars receives a screening mammogram at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 18, 2009. Credit: Getty Images
I would love to see the research that the American Cancer Society used to support its opinion that mammograms should begin for women at age 45 instead of 40 ["Breast cancer test shift," News, Oct. 21].
I'm the husband of a 38-year-old woman fighting breast cancer. The earlier you find it, the easier it is to fight.
My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about two months ago, and not during a routine checkup. We were lucky it was found early.
My wife isn't the only woman I know who has had breast cancer before reaching 40. Personally, I don't think there should be a set guideline, but leave it to a physician's discretion, since no two women are the same.
This seems more like an issue about insurance coverage than looking out for the welfare of women.
Vincent Spano, West Hempstead
