ARLINGTON, Va. - The controversial new guidelines for breast self-examinations were a hot topic on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Last month, a government task force recommended mammograms for women every two years, starting at age 50. The group also recommended against self-exams, which is in start contrast to the American Cancer Society's recommendations.

The new guidelines led to outrage across the nation. Among the outraged is breast cancer survivor Maimah Karmo, who says a self-breast exams saved her life and mammograms have saved many others. So when she heard some of the very people who wrote the controversial guidelines apologized Wednesday on Capitol Hill, she was thrilled.

"They put the recommendations out, they got in trouble, they're getting their hands slapped in public and they're embarrassed," stated Karmo.

The panel now says screening women in their 40s should not be automatic, but should not be denied either.

"The 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," insisted Dr. Diana Petitti with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The panel also backpedaled by saying it won't recommend against screening.

Petitti said, "We need to immediately figure out how to get that statement off the website."

But Republicans pounced, saying the new "relaxed" guidelines are a glimpse of what new health care legislation will bring to the nation.

"We are willing to accept the higher mortality rate to save money. That's what this report says," stated Republican Congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan.

Democrats insisted the guidelines had nothing to do with politics. The panel said they did not come to Capitol Hill to get involved in the health care debate.

As for survivors like Karmo, she said, "It should be a bipartisan issue. It shouldn't be an issue of Republican or Democrat. It's about lives."

 Email To Friend