Mammogram task force under fire

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A change in mammogram guidelines is stirring up more controversy, this time on Capitol Hill.

One member of the task force that made those controversial recommendations on breast cancer screening admitted they went about it all wrong when releasing their message.

Doctors from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force were on the hot seat before a house sub-committee on Capitol Hill. This follows a nationwide backlash against the panel's recommendations that women start getting mammograms at age 50, instead of 40 with follow up screenings every two years instead of annually.

The vice-chair of that task force says their findings were misunderstood because their explanation was poor, leading to a nationwide outcry from women and leading cancer organizations.

"The task force is saying that screening starting at age 40 should not be automatic, nor should it be denied," said Diana Petitti of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.

Petitti added, "The task force acknowledges that the language used to describe its C-Grade recommendation about breast cancer screening for women 40 to 49 did not say what the task force meant to say. The task force communication was poor."

What they meant to say was that screening was more effective for women ages 50 to 74 and that they were concerned about over treatment in women, including excessive exposure to radiation and unnecessary surgery.