Cafe Scientifique Arlington February 2, 2010

WHAT: "Should Women Under 50 Get Mammograms? Is it Even the Right Question to Ask?"

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 5:30–8:00 p.m.; program begins at 6:15 p.m.

WHERE: The Front Page Restaurant, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA,
Located near the Ballston Metro on the ground floor of the National Science Foundation (NSF) building. Parking is available under the NSF building or at Ballston Common Mall.

WHO: Irving W. Wainer, Ph.D., DHC, Senior Scientist, National Institute on Aging/NIH

HOW: Special 1/2 price burgers start at 5:30 p.m. Please come early to order table service and socialize. Short presentation begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by Q&A.

No science background required—only an interest!
Café Scientifique is free and open to the public.
Registration required. Register online here.

ABOUT THE TOPIC: On November 16th, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released its recommendation that women under the age of 50 should not have regular mammograms or a clinical breast exam. The proposed change provoked a heated debate and overwhelming opposition. While the recommendation has essentially been withdrawn, it is reasonable to ask whether the discussion actually addressed the issues raised by the Task Force. Indeed, is it even possible to have an objective discussion about this proposal within the context of the present health care system? Dr. Wainer will discuss these issues, and will address whether or not the debate about annual mammograms actually missed the real point: breast cancer prevention.

SUPPORT THIS CAFÉ: The Ballston Science and Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization, is the sponsor of Café Scientifique Arlington. Since April 2006, the goal of Café Scientifique has been to make science more accessible and accountable by featuring speakers whose expertise spans the sciences and who can talk in plain English. Café is held each month on first Tuesdays at the Front Page in Arlington. Please go to www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/bsta and contribute. Help keep Café open and free to all!

Official Website: http://www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/bsta