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What are they thinking?

Published/Last Modified on Thursday, November 19, 2009 1:13 PM EST

Amid the national debate over health care and how we provide the best for the American people, another facet of the discourse has emerged — and its highly questionable.

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A blue-ribbon panel appointed several years ago has recommended a wholesale change in the mindset when it comes to detecting breast cancer.

The change in timing for mammograms has sparked a heated debate and concern among doctors, cancer survivors and women.

After years of being told one thing, suddenly they are told it’s wrong, or at the least not necessary.

Confusion reigns supreme, and it could cost lives.

The task force may be right in its analysis, but there is not a better alternative. The idea of waiting and hoping cancer won’t rear its deadly head is ludicrous when early detection may mean the difference between life and death.

These recommendations need to be shelved until more research is done. Until then insurance companies should continue to pay for the tests and we hope anyone susceptible to breast cancer will take advantage of the technology.

It could well save their lives.

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