U.S. bill would delay USPSTF mammo recommendations

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would ensure than women ages 40 to 49 have access to screening mammography, according to its supporters.

Introduced by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Renee Ellmers (R-NC), the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings (PALS) Act (HR 3339) would place a two-year moratorium on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft breast cancer screening recommendations, which decline to recommend screening for women ages 40 to 49.

Sponsors hope the two-year delay will provide time for those in Congress who are concerned about the effects of the proposed rule to make changes. Should USPSTF's proposed changes go into effect, more than 22 million women risk losing access to mammography, Ellmers said in a statement.

In her statement, Wasserman Shultz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41, said she considers early detection and treatment a primary goal, and that the new guidelines may fool women into thinking that they're not at risk and can wait until age 50 to begin screening.

Many groups have expressed concern about USPSTF's recommendation, including the Black Women's Health Imperative, the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Medical Association, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and the National Consortium of Breast Centers, the organizers said.

Passage of PALS is critical because USPSTF could act on its recommendations at any time, they added.