Seniors Exploited in Mammogram Scam

That’s why I was appalled to find out that elderly women with severe dementia–women with a life expectancy of just 3.3 years–are being given mammograms. In fact, according to the results of a recent study, 18 percent of these women are undergoing these screenings. And for what?

Even if they do have breast cancer, there’s almost no chance it would develop into a life-threatening illness during their remaining time on earth. But if a lump is discovered, you can bet your co-pay that some unscrupulous surgeon will be pushing for surgery… turning those final years into a living hell.

But I know what’s really going on here. It’s a blatant money grab, plain and simple. According to the study published in the American Journal of Public Health, dementia patients are twice as likely to get these exams if they’re married and have a net worth of at least $100,000.

Perhaps that’s because poorer women are more likely to be on Medicare, which only pays back a fraction of the cost of a screening.

You’re not going to meet your Ferrari payments that way.

Wealthier women, on the other hand, are more likely to have better insurance… or families who will pay for the screenings out of their own pocket, very likely tricked into thinking they’re doing the right thing for their loved one.

And because they suffer from severe dementia, these women usually don’t have a chance to make their own decisions or to put a stop to this nonsense. Even if they tried, would anyone even listen?

There’s no denying–we’ve come a long way on these things over the past year. The mainstream is taking a big gulp and admitting that the advice they’ve given to women for years was dangerous and wrong.

But we’ve still got a long way to go–and a lot of women that still need our protection from this exploitation.

Since some studies have shown that up to half of all prescription drug users misread those labels, a group of researchers and designers is working on new wording and symbols that they say will be far easier for the average person to understand.

Personally, I’d rather see them change the meds, because let’s face it: the clearest warnings in the world won’t improve what’s inside those bottles.

Here’s another idea: Add a new label with a list of safe, effective non-drug alternatives. Put it right next to the list of side effects so people can see what they’re really risking, and easily compare the two.

But let’s get back to reality, because there’s not a chance Big Pharma and its friends in the FDA will ever let that happen. Instead, it looks like we’ll be seeing some light rephrasing combined with some redesigned symbols.

For example, the icon currently used to represent pregnant women looks something like an olive. Instead, the design team from Emory, Harvard and Louisiana State universities has created a silhouette of a pregnant woman. Makes a little more sense, right?

They also want to change vague phrases like “for external use only” to more easily understood instructions like “use only on the skin.”

Call me unimpressed and unconvinced. Sure, it might make things a little easier to understand. But many people don’t even bother to read the warnings on their meds in the first place. Others may have read them once… but stopped after a few refills–and may be completely unaware when a new warning is added.

And far too many people take whatever meds their prescription-happy doctors throw their way… no questions asked.

Now that’s how Big Pharma likes its customers: quiet and compliant.

Don’t wait for new labels to save you. Read your meds carefully and ask questions–ask your doctor, ask your pharmacist, and keep asking until you understand exactly what you’re putting into your body, how to use it, and what risks you’ll be facing.

And while you’re at it, you should ask about those alternatives too. Find your natural cure, and you can add a new and even simpler instruction to your prescription meds: Burn after reading.

It sure beats actually taking them!

On a mission for your health,

Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls