(Washington, DC) -- The Secretary of Health and Human Services is distancing herself from controversial new federal advisory board recommendations on mammograms.

Kathleen Sebelius said the guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force are not part of government policy.

She said mammograms are still an important life-saving tool and advised women to speak to their doctors about the frequency of the diagnostic procedure.

The new guidelines say women in their 40s shouldn't get routine mammograms for diagnosis of breast cancer.

Sebelius stated she would be "very surprised" if private insurance companies change mammography coverage decisions as a result of the proposal.

　

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