Book Press Releases

The Death of MammographyMAMMOGRAPHY CONTINUES TO BE THREATENED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2006

Punta Gorda, FL - In 2006, the American Cancer Society reports more than 212,000 new breast cancer cases in women will be diagnosed, and 40,970 will die of the disease. Early detection of breast cancer can make the difference between life and death.

However, women also need to be aware that malpractice litigation is driving mammography toward extinction. The number of women needing regular mammograms outpaces the capacity of the dwindling ranks of radiologists able and willing to read a mammogram. Radiologists across the country, faced with the prospect of litigation and the high cost of malpractice insurance, are now refusing to read mammograms. Radiology residents are passing over specializing in breast imaging, and over 700 mammography centers across the United States have closed their doors in the last few years.

President George W. Bush recently stated in his State of the Union address that we need liability reform. But, until then, good physicians are still being sued. While there is reform legislation under debate in states nationwide, pressure from the litigation industry continues to thwart efforts to set limits on damages and put other controls in place. For the small amount radiologists are reimbursed for mammography compared to the fear of being sued and the possible million dollar payouts, they are justifiably deciding it is not worth it.

Mammography is still the only reliable tool available to diagnose breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages, though it can have up to a 30 percent miss rate. In The Death of Mammography (Caveat Press 2006), co-authors Rene' Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., and Alberto Righi, M.D.,
present a sharp critique of the failures of the medical liability system in the United States, as it pertains to "failure to diagnose breast cancer on mammography" litigation.

The Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) reports that since 1985 over $304 million has been paid on behalf of physicians nationwide on claims related to cancer of the female breast. The Center for Legal Policy (CLP) at the Manhattan Institute says that currently, out of the total U.S. tort
costs of over $200 billion (more than 2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), trial lawyers gross $40 billion a year in revenues, or 50 percent more than Microsoft or Intel and twice that of Coca-Cola. It also says that the lawsuit industry is increasingly sophisticated in targeting
its customer base through the Internet and traditional media outlets, and its government relations and public relations arms are the most powerful of business lobbies.

Anti-tort reform organizations such as The Center for Justice and Democracy (CJD) counter that the insurance industry is responsible for the skyrocketing insurance rates driving radiologists out of business. However, The Capital Research Center, an education and research organization,
reported recently that CJD published a 50-state study claiming that jury verdicts do not influence the insurance rates paid by physicians, and that lawsuits don't drive insurance rates. A General Accounting Office (GAO) Report released in June 2003 refutes this claim.

Rene' Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., is a special procedures nurse at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Florida, and the author of more than forty healthcare articles.

Alberto Righi, M.D. is the medical director of a radiology group in Florida. He obtained his M.D. at the University of South Florida; his radiology specialty at Tulane; and his neuroradiology specialty at the U. of Miami.

For further information visit http://www.rjacksonrn.com or email Rene' Jackson at rene@rjacksonrn.com

OR

Contact Caveat Press for a copy of the book.

Jessica Rowan
Marketing & Fulfillment
541-488-6415
541-482-7708 (fax)
jessica@caveatpress.com
www.caveatpress.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

I-Newswire) - Malpractice Litigation is Driving Mammography Toward Extinction

February 1, 2006
Port Charlotte, FL

Mammography is still the only reliable tool available to diagnose breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages, though it can have up to a 30% miss rate. In The Death of Mammography ( Caveat Press 2006 ), co-authors Rene' Jackson, RN BSN MS and Alberto Righi, MD, present a sharp critique of the failures of the medical liability system in the United States, as it pertains to "failure to diagnose breast cancer on mammography" litigation.

Leonard Berlin, M.D., F.A.C.R., Chairman Department of Radiology Rush North Shore Medical Center in Illinois says, "It is a combination of two books: one, an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding breast cancer and mammography; the other, a treatise on malpractice litigation and its impact on the practice of medicine in general, along with a first-hand account of a malpractice lawsuit focusing on a radiologist’s alleged missing of a tiny cancer on a mammogram. It calls into question, if not casts doubt on the 'I’ll get a mammogram - - my breast cancer will be diagnosed early and I’ll be cured - - and if not, I’ll sue the radiologist' mentality."

"The Death of Mammography, more than any other book on the U.S. litigation crisis and failures, captures the essence of the problem in a highly charged emotional situation," comments John Thomas, President and Chief Development Officer of Cirrus Health in Texas.

Pamela Seay JD, Associate Professor, Division of Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University says, "It is an important work addressing a crucial issue in women's health."

Rene' Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S. is a Special Procedures Nurse in Medical Imaging at Charlotte Regional Medical Center, Punta Gorda, Florida. Author of more than forty healthcare and nursing articles, she is also a reviewer and contributor for many professional manuals.

Alberto Righi, M.D. is the medical director of a radiology group in Florida. He obtained his M.D. at the University of South Florida; his radiology specialty at Tulane; and his neuroradiology specialty at the U. of Miami.

October 13, 2005

Punta Gorda, FIA — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As part of a nationwide education campaign, women are encouraged to educate themselves about breast cancer and to get a mammogram. In 2005, the American Cancer Society reports that 211,240 new breast cancer cases in women will be diagnosed, and 40,870 will die of the disease. Early detection of breast cancer can make the difference between life and death.

However, women also need to be aware that malpractice litigation is driving mammography toward extinction. The number of women needing regular mammograms outpaces the capacity of the dwindling ranks of radiologists able and willing to read a mammogram. Radiologists across the country, faced with the prospect of litigation and the high cost of malpractice insurance, are now refusing to read mammograms. Radiology residents are passing over specializing in breast imaging, and over 700 mammography centers across the United States have closed their doors in the last few years.

While there is reform legislation under debate in states nationwide, pressure from the litigation industry continues to thwart efforts to set limits on damages and put other controls in place. For the small amount radiologists are reimbursed for mammography compared to the fear of being sued and the possible million dollar payouts, they are justifiably deciding it is not worth it.

“The growing malpractice litigation frenzy in this country shows no signs of abating.” warns René Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S. author of the upcoming book, The Death of Mammography (Caveat* Press 2005). “Delayed diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most common and expensive malpractice allegations made against physicians today.”

The Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) reports that since 1985 over $304 million has been paid on behalf of physicians nationwide on claims related to cancer of the female breast. The Center for Legal Policy (CLP) at the Manhattan Institute says that currently, out of the total U.S. tort costs of over $200 billion (more than 2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), trial lawyers gross $40 billion a year in revenues, or 50 percent more than Microsoft or Intel and twice that of Coca-Cola. It also says that the lawsuit industry is increasingly sophisticated in targeting its customer base through the Internet and traditional media outlets, and its government relations and public relations arms are the most powerful of business lobbies.

Anti-tort reform organizations such as The Center for Justice and Democracy (CJD) counter that the insurance industry is responsible for the skyrocketing insurance rates driving radiologists out of business. However, The Capital Research Center, an education and research organization, reported recently that CJD published a 50-state study claiming that jury verdicts do not influence the insurance rates paid by physicians, and that lawsuits don't drive insurance rates. A General Accounting Office (GAO) Report released in June 2003 refutes this claim.

Jackson and co-author Alberto Righi, M.D., contend the public needs to know how women’s best defense against breast cancer is being driven to extinction. They offer a comprehensive analysis of the crisis and specific solutions.

The pink ribbon enclosed with this press release represents support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, compliments of Caveat Press.

Notes to Editors
News peg: The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, and throughout the month, sponsors encourage women to make a mammography appointment. In 2005, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 21.

The authors of The Death of Mammography are available for interviews.
Rene' Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S. is a Special Procedures Nurse in Medical Imaging at Charlotte Medical Center, Punta Gorda, Florida. Author of more than forty healthcare and nursing articles, she is also a reviewer and contributor for many professional manuals.

Alberto Righi, M.D. , is the medical director of a radiology group in Florida. He obtained his M.D. at the University of South Florida; his radiology specialty at Tulane; and his neuroradiology specialty at the U. of Miami.

For information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or for information about breast cancer and breast health please contact: NBCAM, at 312-596-3548; or at nbcaminfo@yahoo.com

For information about The Death of Mammography, by René Jackson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S. and Alberto Righi, M.D., go to caveatpress.com. To receive a complimentary advance review copy, please call 800-380-8286.

*CAVEAT PRESS, INC.
White Cloud / RiverWood Books
P.O. Box 3400
Ashland, OR 97520

541.488.6415
www.caveatpress.com