FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/October 25, 1997 -- 12 noon EDT CONTACT: Michael Stewart [202/651-7048];
American Nurses Association Applauds New Mammography Standards Released by President ClintonWASHINGTON, DC -- The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds new standards for mammography announced by President Clinton today in his weekly radio address. Patricia Underwood, PhD, RN, secretary of the ANA Board of Directors, joined representatives of women's health care organizations for a special oval office announcement of the new standards by President and Mrs. Clinton. Underwood, herself a breast cancer survivor, is associate professor of nursing at Grand Valley State University (Michigan). "Studies show that regular mammography examinations reduce mortality, particularly for women over the age of fifty," said Underwood. "While removal of barriers such as lack of adequate health insurance will encourage women to seek their first mammogram, they often do not follow up with the recommended annual exams. Women need to know the benefits of regular mammograms, and their health care providers play a key role. One study showed that if providers recommended mammography, patients were 14 times more likely to have the exam than if they didn't receive the recommendation." # # # Note to media: To arrange an interview opportunity with Patricia Underwood, contact Michael Stewart.
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