Controversy continued to swirl
Monday around 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Beppe Grillo's
allegations that some cancer specialists push mammograms for
profit.
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi joined the debate by urging
women to continue to request the breast-cancer screening tool as
ordered by doctor while Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said
women should ignore Grillo's "misinformation".
The debate began Saturday when Grillo suggested there was
little difference in mortality rates between women who have
mammograms every two years compared with those who do not.
He also suggested those who have biannual mammograms were
"poorly informed" and said that cancer specialist Umberto
Veronesi, a former health minister, promoted the screenings to
make money.
"Veronesi advertises mammograms on TV - probably he has
subsidies for his institution," said Grillo.
Grillo later in the day backtracked, saying "I do not
think that mammography is not useful or necessary. In fact I
think it's very useful".
But no one should think that the test "will prevent
cancer", said Grillo.
In his comments on Mother's Day, celebrated Sunday in
Italy, Renzi said: "Vote for who you want, but do not listen to
those supposed politicians that play at being doctors.
"You don't joke around with tumors, do not skip the
mammogram," said Renzi.
While guidelines differ, most experts recommend mammograms
if not annually, then every two years after either age 40 or 50.
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