According to recent surveys by Gallup for the medical technology company Hologic, more than 40% of women in the United States have skipped or delayed recommended health screenings despite recognizing their importance. The surveys found that anxiety about medical tests, pain concerns, cost, lack of time, and not believing a screening was necessary were common reasons for delaying or skipping screenings. The respondents also reported having difficulty finding relevant health information and prioritizing their health. Black women were more likely to say regular health screenings were important but less likely to have had conversations about key screenings with medical professionals. These findings can have serious health consequences, as regular health screenings play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of women.
A survey by Gallup revealed that an estimated 72 million women in the US have missed or postponed a recommended health screening. Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, such as carboplatin and cisplatin, which were in shortage for over a year, have been officially removed from the drug shortage list by the FDA. Patients undergoing bone marrow transplants at Ohmatdyt National Children's Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine have no option of going to the bomb shelter during air sirens. The White House Cancer Moonshot has committed an additional $100 million to programs focused on reducing cancer burden in African countries.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to start providing additional reimbursement for some high-cost drugs for people with Medicare who receive care at Indian Health Service or tribal hospitals, beginning January 1, 2025. Robert C. Gallo joined Tampa General Hospital as founder and director of the Microbial Oncology Program and senior scientific advisor to the executive director of the TGH Cancer Institute on July 8.
It is crucial for women to prioritize their health by getting regular preventive health screenings, especially for cancer, heart disease, and sexually transmitted infections. Women who discuss screenings with doctors are more likely to go ahead with appointments. However, not all women have these conversations or feel confident about which screenings they need.
Sources: Gallup survey reports; FDA announcement; U.S. News & World Report
