New guidelines put forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force say that women in their 40’s should not get routine mammograms for early detection of breast cancer.  Now they are saying that women between the ages of 40 to 49 should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of the test and then decide if they want to be screened.  Apparently there are lots of false positives in this age group.  It also suggested that women 50 and over have the mammogram every two years instead of every year.  The American Cancer Society is up in arms over this announcement and completely disagrees with these guidelines.

What are we women supposed to do, who do we believe?

Women comprise the largest segment of health workers, health consumers, and we are the decision makers for the health needs of our families.  We are the ones deciding on which health care provider to use, should we vaccinate the family against the H1N1 flu, and the list goes on.

How do we get unbiased information?

Personally, I look at everything; the traditional approach to health issues and the alternative or complimentary.  There are many good newsletters and websites available, but I warn you it takes time and effort.  There is a good organization called Life Extension that I look to for information regarding natural solutions to health issues.  Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Mercola have good websites and both tend to objectivity.  In the end it comes to good common sense.

Why use a cholesterol lowering drug, when perhaps changing dietary habits would offer the solution.  Instead of taking drugs for depression, try a Mediterranean style diet.  A new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry says that people who adopt a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are 30 percent less likely to get depressed compared to those whose diets are loaded with processed food.  The American Dietetic Association says that your nutrition profoundly affects your ability to fight disease such as (swine flu).  That means boosting your immune system with lean protein and good fats.

Taking control of one’s health is even more important as we age, before we start to have issues with heart disease, diabetes, etc.  Many people I know are on multiple drugs and who knows how those drugs affect us as they interact with each other.  Practicing good health habits, getting informed, eating a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly will prevent us from going down that slippery slope.