My mother died from breast cancer in 1978.  She was only 48 years old and left 4 young children.  I have been having mammograms since I was 35 years old (I am now 56).  Nothing major has shown up.  It seems every week the rules change....and now I feel I will just take my chances and live as long as I can.

Mr. Williams first congrats on the Cronkite award, you are our news anchor of choice.  I would like to take a moment though and address, and hopefully clarify, the panel recommendation, which is that it should be a dicussion and decision by the woman and her doctor and not based on a cover all annual exam for all women aged forty and above.  FYI this is the same statement made by Sec Sebelius last night, and what most of those decrying the study are also saying.  We need to stop beating this horse, the panel reviewed multiple studies and determined a small number of women aged 40 - 49 will find breast cancer cells through mamograms and unless they are in a high risk category they do not need annual exams.  It's ok to disagree with the finding without attacking the panel for coming to that conclusion.  It is just possible that the massed confusion is due to the excessive coverage.  I'm curious how much exposure the report would have gotten if only presented to the medical community?

It is clear that Congress and the news media, that means you NBC, are at it again.  The message is clear, but you don't want to hear it.

What you need to figure out is what the science is trying to tell you and what it is you cannot bear to hear.

You keep trying to counter the new recommendation by saying night after night, most breast cancers are detected by mammograms.  

You then ought to ask some experts if these two pieces of information can be reconciled.  You might find them saying that the vast majority of the cancers in this age group detected by mammograms were in women in the high risk group.  These women would continue to get annual mammograms even under the new guidelines.  (I am guessing at the answer.  You are supposed to be reporters.  Find out if the answer is this or something else.)

Don't just keep trying to confuse night after night.  Do your jobs for once.

Brian,
I enjoy your show and look forward to your honest, no politics slant on events. This evening I was surprised to here your lead in to the news indicate that the top two stories contained a terrible new set of facts the American people needed to know about the economy. (What have you learned Brian?) Was the same old sniping by republican congress reps. what you were talking about? The cost of college in Calif.?
Lack of time for Kelly to prepare a story or is NBC going the way of FOX. I have been a loyal watcher of NBC for many years because you have credibility.
Don't sell out, the quality remains long after the money is spent.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Great to see you here tonight for the broadcast! Another fine broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Dr.Nancy Snyderman concerning breast cancer screenings and when women should get them. So many mixed messages it is confusing to women and their doctors. The administration did underestimate the reaction from women with such misleading information. It is important to visit one's doctor and decide on care.
The report by Mr.Milkasweski about the Fort Hood shootings and the investigation of Army Major Hasan told of officials missing many warning signs of Hasan's behavior. Between the emails to the cleric Iman and the poor judgement he used in discussing religious topics with patients it appears there were several red flags nobody noticed. President Obama ordering a review hopefully will divulge more information for the investigators to uncover.

Good to know the computer glitch problem with air travel has been fixed. It certainly caused many headaches for travellers this morning.

The meteor falling through the sky over Utah looked scary. One can only imagine the people seeing this huge light and hearing the sonic boom. Quite scary!

The series report "Our Planet" report by Anne Thompson from Greenland was very interesting. Drilling through the ice to pull up an ice core and study it to find out the effects of climate change is giving dramatic results. It was incredible to learn how old the ice cores which reveal much information to scientists about how the climate is changing.

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Congratulations on the Walter Cronkite Award! Such a great honor for you! Very Deserving!
Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
XOXO

Hey Brian, Inside edition had short piece about Sen. John Kerry's daughter being taken to jail for drunk driving. Do you think you would have mentioned it if it would have been Sarah Palin's daughter. You Betcha you would have!

I am interested in hearing the insurance companies' reaction to the new recommendation.  It is easy to say "Keep doing what you have been doing" and this is a decision to be made between you and your doctor when the fact is most American women can not afford annual mammograms if they are not covered by their insurance companies.

Brian,

A riveting, roller-coaster broadcast
this evening, and again, congratulations
on the honor that was bestowed upon
you.  Well deserved!!!

I liked the Louisville story.  
"Digging your own grave with your
teeth" is an expression I have not
heard before, but it is apt for  
our strange times.

A beautiful red tie.  I would send
you a tie too, but my husband would
jump to conclusions; and there would
be a furor in the family, and then
what? :o)

Have a nice evening, Brian!

Phyllis

I can't imagine why you would consider an event concerning a discount retailer in New York of national importance and worthy of comment on tonight's evening news. There surely are many more important and interesting subjects to address concerning the rest of the country. There really are exciting things happening out here in the wilderness, but how would you know?

Hi Brian,

I thought today was Great American Smokeout Day(34th), so I did some research:

1) Smoking has increased for the first time in decades, back to over the 20% threshold.

2) Appx. 53,000 people die every yr. from second-hand smoke. Children are at significant risk.

3) Smoking increases the risk of breast cancer.

4) Obesity and alcohol increase the levels of circulating estrogen, which is thought to be the primary cause of breast cancer growth.

So I would think that 30 yr.olds + would produce more estrogen than woemen geeing closer to menopause. I'm notan expert but I wish one on this blog could address this part of the issue. And I don't think Sec. Sebelius is politicizing. I like Dr. Nancy but I find myself getting irritated when I hear her talking about breast health and mammograms. But here's a site I found:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/breast/Patient/page3

I love the "Our Planet" segments. Anne Thompson is doing a great job. If some people don't believe in global warming, then they probably don't believe in science, that scientists are just "making all this stuff up." Sad.

For all you women who appreciate talented, beautiful men, (besides Brian), check out these photos of Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). The sites show him at the beginning of his career and now. You can also listen to his music. The sites are amazing in themselves:

http://www.majicat.com/

http://www.catstevens.com/

Brian, I loved your red, small striped tie. It reminded me of a romantic Christmas Eve by the tree bathed in candlelight. I know your wife is probably laughing at this . She should. We're harmless.

See you tomorrow night and congratulations again.

Hi Brian:  Thanks for the video but you left off an important piece of data.    What year was this video produced?   At the beginning there was something about a 1993 study.   Robert Bazell sure looks young as does Tom.

Well ladies I am not sure how you feel about this video but I know that we have come a long way baby!    I also believe in giving everyone the best!

It is 2009 and if we have safe diagnostic testing available why not get the BEST health care possible based on decisions made for you by your doctor.   As I get older I am seeing that men make most of these decisions in healthcare.   Isn't it time women made their own decisions based on the facts and not false and misleading information?  

As far as managed government health care, I am not a stick in the mud Republican but come on about these abortion riders etc.   Women and Americans want choices.  If a women is of child bearing age and they want the abortion rider let them have it.   If not, let the women go without the rider and live her life.   Only a woman knows whether or not they would be able to terminate a pregnancy or want to conceive.   I know it is hard for people to believe this but not everyone is partnered and wants children or single and want children.

@ Jackie:  Did you notice Oprah's ratings?  Over the top with Sarah Palin.  Personally I think she is very dingy and not what the Republicans or America needs right now.

@ Lisa:   I have been following Richard on Twitter.  Girl, you have alot of posts.    You do win the award for Richard's biggest fan.  Take care!

Peace to All!  

Forget the fact that women are getting mixed messages.  Women are smart enough to know that self examination & mammograms are vital to prevent or detect breast cancer. We all know someone who has been helped by one or both of those.  We don't need a panel or commission to tell us what to do.   What angers me more is that this recommendation can now be used as a weapon to deny insurance coverage for mammograms.  Yet another attempt to take away a woman's right to control her health and her body. Why isn't anyone talking about that?!

I just want to inform everyone that if you go to nightly.msnbc.com and click on "Web Only" you can see Brian's acceptance speech and the tape from people congratulation Brian that aired at the Awards ceremony yesterday.

Brian -- facts matter. Those opinions and blogs that you talked about in your speech at ASU? You don't have anything to talk about without good, honest reporting. Keep it up, from a big fan of yours.

Good evening, Brian.

It's great having you back on the east coast after your acceptance for your Walter Cronkite award. The video your colleagues put together was wonderful, and inspiring – and well...the music wasn't so bad either.

Your acceptance speech to ASU's  wonderful Walter Cronkite school was very touching. I loved hearing you  talk about Walter Cronkite, and how you grew up watching him every weeknight. I wish so much that I could have watched him growing up. Over the past months since Walter's passing, I've been hearing and reading about his life and about him as a person. I've come to learn what a great man he was. I couldn't imagine anyone around during his time in the business not loving him or wanting to be him.

One more congratulations to you on your award, and the greatest honor to you in your entire career! I also have to say congratulations to you and your wife Jane on your 23 years of marriage. That's  wonderful! I had to say something. It's something you don't see much of anymore, unfortunately. And my thanks to your wife on behalf of all of us for coming up with the idea of Making A Difference, as you've stated many times. She knew what we all were missing!

Tonight's news on the ruling that the Katrina disaster was in fact an effect from the government's failure to maintain the levees protecting New Orleans, comes both as a horrible disappointment that this devastating disaster was man-made, but also might offer a small piece of justice to the people of New Orleans who have suffered so much in the four years since the hurricane. I hope the money from this lawsuit will help them as much as they need it.

Thank you for the broadcast tonight. Great reporting as usual!

Looking forward to joining you Friday night. Have a great evening, and a happy Friday!

Take care,
-Cary

i very proud of you

Hi Brian your report tonight sounded like the US has MEMOREY LOST. As the GOP seems to have forgotten the following:

Aug. 2007 per Hank Paulson, the US subprime mortage fallout remained largely contained due to the strongest global economy in decades.

On August 10, 2008, Secretary Paulson told NBC’s Meet the Press that he had no plans to inject any capital into Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.[22] On September 7, 2008, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went into conservatorship.

July 20, 2008 per Hank Paulson, it's a safe banking system, a sound banking system and our regulators are on top of it.

1/18.08  President Bush call for 145 billion stimulus package due to deep recession.

Now none of the GOP said one word to Paulson nor did any reporters are we sink deeper in debt and Banks/Wall Street were bailed out by the same people attacking Tim Geithner. What's clear is the GOP is pushing for Obama and the US to fail and they have to get Geithner out because he's fixing the problem.  President Bush fired Paul O'Neill who said our Economy would collape with the Bush plan. Hank Paulson kept asking for more money for Banks and the GOP controlled Congress kept giving it to him. At lease we now know what the real plan is. A few Democrats can be brought off to go along with the GOP Mission. I just wish these GOP Law Makers would try helping the American people as much as they help Wall Street/Banks.

In the House today I hear Rep. Foxx make a statement that rocked reality. Rep. Foxx said the Republicans signed the Civil Rights Bill and that Democrats fought it. She praised how the Republican Party had made that landmark Bill. Now I didn't read that history I lived it. I witnessed a man hanging those black/white drinking fountains and of course George Wallace/the three students/burning churches with kids inside/Emmit Till and so much more as President Johnson was shown live signing the Civil Rights Bill. Rep. Foxx is a teacher and has taught in many schools in North Carolina I guess this is what she teaches her students.

Telling people about Global Warming is like telling people the Titanic is sinking. Remember how people set back and had a drink with music as the Captain said the boat was sinking. Most people will finally get in when it's to late to repair.  

I watched Eric Holder in the hearings. I thought of FDR when he said " IT'S NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF".  Law Makers and some people are showing the terrorist their in fear of them. I like the way the Obama Administration is standing their ground toe to toe and want be put in fear. We had 8 years of the National Security red, green and orange of fear tactics as when ever the Bush Administration wanted more taxpayers money the FEAR LEVEL  would go up.

I'm off to the midnight showing of NEW MOON it's a way of getting my mine off the stupidity of the Law Makers and their dumb comments.

Breast cancer mortality is 52 percent higher in Germany than in the United States and 88 percent higher in the United Kingdom. from http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/49525427.html

Why would we want to lower our standards to have a government run system similar to the UK?

Brian-

I'm not saying you shouldn't show it, we all need to be reminded from time to time, but seeing those Katrina scenes in New Orleans is still heart wrenching. I have a real tough time watching them. Hopefully this court ruling will not be overturned on appeal and some kind of justice will finally be done.

Something else I saw tonight that is still heart wrenching--go to www.newseum.org and on their home page look for "Inside Tim Russert's Office" and watch the video. Brought tears to my eyes and poignant too, is seeing how much Luke looks like the younger Tim. For those in the D.C. area or planning to visit, Tim's office is now on exhibit at the Newseum.

A couple of pieces in the Washington Post of interest:

They reviewed the exhibit of the Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors on display till March at the National Geographic Museum also in D.C. and really liked it. Some of you may have already seen it as this is the show's fourth stop in the States. One thing about it is that you can get up close to the warriors in this exhibit and you cannot in Xian, China where the emperor buried them--unless you are Peter Alexander who I hate, I'm so envious of him! (Kidding Peter!) I saw a lot of awesome stuff in China, but the Terra Cotta Warriors about blew me away. They are lined up in ranks by the thousands, all different. When you see ranks and ranks of them it is awesome but don't expect that in the exhibit in D.C., there are only they say, about 15 of them, but the advantage is getting close. There are other artifacts found with the warriors in the exhibit as well, so it makes for an interesting show. Check for availability if you want to go. Tickets are timed and they have sold 100,000 already. The article in the Post tells you all you need to know.

Then there is the Washington Post article by Michael E. Ruane. I want to quote the first paragraph 'cause it's neat: "The debate on the reform plan was just getting started. The plan was radical. It had strong supporters but more strident opponents. And the retired general warned that the critics were fearmongers. twisting the facts to poison public opinion."

Who and what plan?

George Washington in a letter to his nephew advocating ratifying the Constitution. The title of the article is: "A George Washington record-breaker?"

Didn't you think it might have been health care in 2009 rather than 1787? This article is SO well written! If you are at all a history buff or a Constitutionalist, you've got to read it! Talk about what goes around, comes around and that human nature doesn't change..... It leaves you with hope we might get health care reform if we managed to get the Constitution!

But the best is that the letter is going to be auctioned off in Christie's at Rockefeller Center in NYC. They expect it to bring 1.5 to 2.5 million dollars! Christie's will put the letter on display about a week before its 12/4 auction date. I'm definitely going over to see it and Brian, I'll bet you'll go over too! (Brian just has to go downstairs and across the street. Tough working in Rockefeller Cntr.!)

The Post article is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111803917_pf.html

You can link to Christie's description of the contents of the letter in the WP article or go to www.christies.com. They bill it as "The most important Washington letter to ever come to auction." At 2.5 mill, it sure should be!

Take care all and have a good weekend--

Brian,
On August 7th, you had the most interesting blog.  It was an introduction, well for me, to the great Norman Rockwell.
I learned, yesterday, that Rockwell’s works will be on display at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, beginning November 14th ending February 7, 2010.
It is written that Rockwell paintings “depict sweet childhood memories.”
Brian, your blog was so enchanting, it prompted us to research the artist, his life and because your tribute was so moving, we now have plans to visit the display.

Sean Piccoli, of the Sun-Sentinel wrote a beautiful tribute: “A Look at the Art Exhibit”.
I encourage all South Florida Art lovers to visit the display.

Thank you for an excellent newscast Brian, as always. I DVR your show every day, so I won't miss it.

You mentioned that the so called 'expert' panel that made the anti-Mammogram recommendations was formed in 2002. That was in the midst of the Bush administration. During those 'anti-science' days it was just as likely for a lobbyist or crony to be appointed to a scientific panel, as it was for a qualified scientist.

Here is an investigative challenge for your staff:

Just who ARE these 'experts' that made the controversial recommendation. Are they qualified scientists or are they insurance lobbyists?

Hi Brian,

I knew this would happen. The federal guidelines have changed regarding pap smears. What is going on? I don't think Pres. Obama is causing these changes. His mother died of breast cancer at 53(?) But someone needs to change the guidelines back to what they were.

@ Fred Fanton
@Steven Greenberg
You're not women so maybe you'd rather Brian discuss more manly things. Just endure it a little longer or turn to ESPN!


See you tonight Brian.

Gosh -
Friends viewed “Nightly” web and saw video, “Flooding Hits U.K.”
They are frantic.
Did a five day weather forecast of London.  Promises rain.
Signs are definitely not good.
My Boss is poking fun.

I am completely dumbfounded by the stories significantly impacting women's health screening this week.  

Women shouldn't get mammograms as a regular health screening precaution, but there isn't yet a better alternative to this important screening test.  Is there a cost effective alternative in the works yet, and when can we expect to see this introduced?  I don't know a lot of women who are eager to subject themselves to the discomfort of getting a mammogram, but we all know about what the repercussions of remaining ignorant could mean, missing possible early detection.  

What respectable medical professional would EVER encourage any patient to remain ignorant of his or her body?  Discouraging women from performing a self-breast exam is what I consider border-line unethical from anyone in a medical profession.  Women are not ignorant about their own bodies, and the women I know will probably double-up on their self-exams now that a so-call authority has told them not to.

Women shouldn't get pap smears regularly?  Young women not be tested until age 21, or until 3 years after becoming sexually active?  Have the people endorsing these recommendations heard about the Gardasil vaccine that young women are encouraged to get to protect them from getting the virus that contributes to cervical cancer, the same cancer young women are now being encouraged not to get screened for by getting a pap smear?  

These vaccines, I've found from our pediatrician's office, are administered in a series of three shots.  In many cases, the vaccines are not covered by insurance and can run upwards of $180.  

Whoever is responsible for conducting these studies, and coming out with these recommendations cannot possibly think the public is willing to blindly follow these recommendations without questioning their motives and intentions.  If they want to be taken seriously, they could make a good start by announcing an action plan along with their guidelines, and stop insulting 51 percent of the population.

To Celine: Hey, I also read that very interesting article from the Washington Post on the George Washington letter about the Constitution. I found that quote very striking too! It definitely echoes to our current times. I'm glad you shared it in the blog -- I forgot to mention it right before I hit "submit". I'm such a huge history lover, it's always so wonderful running into things like this.

-Cary

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