Wheeling Hospital Oncologist Favors Existing Mammogram Guidelines - WTRF-TV

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Wheeling Hospital Oncologist Favors Existing Mammogram Guidelines
Posted Sunday, November 22, 2009 ; 04:17 PM | View Comments | Post Comment
Updated Monday, November 23, 2009; 01:48 PM

Dr. JonDavid Pollock said women should continue to follow existing guidelines for mammograms, despite recommendations of a federal task force that says women in their 40s should skip the screening.

Story by Crissy Clutter
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Crissy Clutter

WHEELING -- The new recommendations about mammograms that came out this week have rocked the medical world and shocked many people with strong feelings about the importance of early detection.

The new guidelines said women can start getting mammograms at age 50 instead of 40 and then get them every other year, instead of every year.

A radiation oncologist from Wheeling Hospital said he read the report and he said it's not based on any new or fresh data.

Dr. JonDavid Pollock believes it's based on a new philosophy that's apparently now focused on cost.

"Cost is mentioned many times in the article. Not just the cost, the financial cost, but also the cost in terms of increasing anxiety and worry about what is the mammogram going to show. Do I really need a biopsy? Can I forego that procedure that may or may not be necessary? So, cost on many levels has been raised," said Pollock.

Pollock said he is urging his patients to adhere to the old guidelines, and he's going to urge insurers to pay for those procedures.

He said the insurance companies should not make the decision. Only the doctor and patient should decide that.

Related Links:
- New Guidelines Re-Write The Book On When And How Often Women Need Mammograms

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User Comments [ post comment ]

Kate
11/24/09 at 7:42 AM

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This is for "rationed health care-yes". I will reiterate that this is simply the insurance industry trying to keep control over your health care by lowering their costs in a desperation move to remain competitive. If you truly were a health care professioal you would know that the surest way to get paid for treatment you provide is to take on a Medicare patient because you are assured payment by the government for appropriate procedures. My guess is that you are involved in billing procedures somewhere based on your limited knowlege base. Regardless of the scenario misleading the public is not the way to health care reform whether it be by "a heath care professional" such as yourself or some blatantly dangerous guidelines handed out which can indeed jepordize the health of the patient.

, Jim Westling
11/23/09 at 7:32 PM

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If Dr Jondavid Pollock says the Ins is wrong about mammograms, then they are wrong. This Oncologist is one of the smarter and best informed of any of our Drs in 4 to 5 states. I respect this mans word over the many big names in Oral Cancer and other types of cancer. This is the man that saved my skin after A big name College must have uswd me for a guienna pig. He is still fighting my battle with me along with Dr Chris Tiu and a couple of more Drs from WV University Hospital.

RATIONED HEALTH-CARE- YES!!
11/23/09 at 1:39 PM

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OF COURSE, this is the beginning of RATIONED HEALTH-CARE. YES-the insurance industry needs reining in- BUT- by the FEDERAL government?? NO!! IF you know how to appeal the claims/denials with insurers, you can usually win based on the contract language. But try to challenge and or appeal anything with the FEDS/MEDICARE, and the claims appeals reps know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the claims BUT follow the canned text language. MESSAGE -BECOME AN INFORMED CONSUMER!! I KNOW THIS WELL- FROM A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL..

Kate
11/23/09 at 10:14 AM

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This is not the beginning of rationed health care - this is the beginning of insurance companies trying to lower their costs to be able to compete in a new market. For eons they have had enough clout to call all the shots and now the people of this country are fighting back with health care reform something they did not think possible. Use your head and your knowledge - trust your doctor and his decisions regarding your health- then get prepared for a lot of misinformation and recommedations financed by the insurance industry while they try and save their profits.

bob
11/23/09 at 7:19 AM

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There is a cure for cancer The government has known for 35 yrs phoenixtears.ca Run from the cure Watch all 7 videos There are over 17,000 studies to back this up

THANK YOU!
11/22/09 at 4:53 PM

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THANK YOU DOCTOR!! Did anyone listen to the message from the 'elite commission' stating 'WOMEN GET UPSET WAITING FOR FALSE TEST RESULTS'?? Can you believe they talk down to the women of the USA and tell us we are tooooo immature, stupid, childish and cannot stand the stress when waiting for test results?? WHO ARE THEY KIDDING?? This is the beginning of RATIONED HEALTH CARE!! Patient and physician must take control of their health needs!!!!!!!

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