Monday, December 16, 2013

FORCE vs USPSTF: An important tussle.


Linda in Christmas Pageant, at 11.
With Halo
Joseph seems rather young for the part
 
This seems more than usually idiotic.  You may remember our old friend, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF).  As I understand it, USPFTF is an all-volunteer, all expert panel recognized (but not supported) by the Feds.  ObamaCare is taking cognizance of it, though, to the extent of ruling that procedures not rated A or B by USPSTF will not be covered.  Can that be right?  I’ll have to check*.  Anyway, the USPFTF has ruled that cancer survivors be deemed not eligible for genetic testing.  Here is why I think that is a mistake.  Ovarian cancer and breast cancer are both influenced by mutations in the genes named BRCA1 and 2.  So, let’s say you survive one of those cancers or the other.  Neither cancer REQUIRES those mutations; they only increase a woman’s odds of contracting them  So, it seems to me, if you have survived breast cancer (for instance) it is of considerable importance to determine whether you are carrying the BRCA mutations, because if you are your chances of getting ovarian cancer are unusually high. 
To be fair, I should read the actual USPSTF decision, but right now I don’t feel like being fair.  FORCE (I’ve written about that, too) – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered – is up in arms.  Read this link.  Maybe you will want to sign the petition.  I did. 
*No, that isn’t exactly right.  Obamacare only approves plans that offer coverage for procedures that USPFTF rate A or B.  The problem is that this panel of experts is completely ignoring the needs of cancer survivors.  FORCE is righteously enraged. 
 
 

 
 


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