STORY12. UNDER FIRE: CANCER CONTROVERSY
CHARLES GIBSON:
(OC) The intense debate over breast cancer screenings shifted to Capitol Hill today. The medical experts who called for scaling back routine mammograms in a report issued two weeks ago were heavily criticized by lawmakers. Here's John McKenzie.
JOHN MCKENZIE:
(VO) Some of the very people who wrote the controversial guidelines began today by apologizing.
DOCTOR DIANA PETITTI (US PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE):
The recommendation about breast cancer screening for women 40 to 49 did not say what the task force meant to say. The task force communication was poor.
REPRESENTATIVE PHIL GINGREY (REPUBLICAN):
It clearly recommends against routine screening mammography in women age 40 to 49 years. Do you think that this statement could be perceived by women younger than 50 that they should not get a mammogram?
DOCTOR DIANA PETITTI (US PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE):
We need to immediately figure out how to get that statement off the website. I think it could be misconstrued. It has been misconstrued.
JOHN MCKENZIE:
(VO) The panel today said, screening women in their 40s should not be automatic, but it should not be denied, either.
DOCTOR DIANA PETITTI:
Many doctors and many women, perhaps even most women, will decide to have a mammography screening starting at age 40. The task force supports those decisions.
JOHN MCKENZIE:
(VO) But Republicans pounced, arguing the new relaxed guidelines are a glimpse of what new health care legislation will bring.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE ROGERS (REPUBLICAN):
We're willing to accept a higher mortality rate to save money. That's what this report says. And that's what we're getting ready to foist on the American people.
DOCTOR DIANA PETITTI:
We voted them without regard to cost or cost effectiveness analysis. I can say that the word cost was not in the room, it was not mentioned. It was not uttered.
JOHN MCKENZIE:
(VO) Democrats insisted the guidelines had nothing to do with the President's push for health care reform.
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK PALLONE (JR):
And their deliberations were done under the previous administration before President Obama was even president of the United States.
JOHN MCKENZIE:
(VO) The panel members said today, they did not come to Capitol Hill to get involved in health care legislation. But to try, yet again, to clear up the mess their guidelines have created. John McKenzie, ABC News, New York.
STORY13. DEEP DISMAY: TIGER'S STORY
CHARLES GIBSON:
(OC) In other news, Tiger Woods tried again today to deal with speculation that has followed his weekend accident. He issued a statement that essentially confirmed much of it.
(VO) Saying I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all my heart.
(OC) He also pleaded for privacy, as well. But will he get it? Not likely. John Berman is in Windermere, Florida.
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) With dark clouds hanging over his gated community, Tiger Woods tried to calm the storm. "I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves," he said. "I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors." New photos showed the damage to his SUV from the accident that cost him a careless driving citation, while there was new damage to his once pristine image.
TIGER WOODS (PROFESSIONAL GOLFER):
Hey, it's, it's Tiger.
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) "US Weekly" released this voicemail message they say Woods left on the phone of an alleged mistress.
TIGER WOODS:
Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone and may be calling you.
ERIC DEZENHALL (CRISIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT):
Tiger Woods' image prior to this was as superhuman. And I think what this does is it makes him human, not entirely in a good way.
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) While Woods said he was sorry, he added, don't expect him to say more. "Problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions."
ERIC DEZENHALL:
I think what Tiger Woods is saying with that is you can ask me 20 times and you can ask me 40 times but I'm not going to give you a running commentary.
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) Many public relations experts agree, Woods is better off keeping quiet. But others, including his close friend Charles Barkley, aren't so sure.
CHARLES BARKLEY (FRIEND):
Stand out there like a man in front of the camera and all this stuff could have been diffused. I think Tiger made a mistake in that aspect.
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) As for the sponsors that paid him over $90 million last year, they are behind him, for now. Nike - "Our relationship remains unchanged." Gatorade - "Our partnership continues." Nevertheless, they are almost definitely wary.
LARRY WOODARD (CEO):
They're saying, well, what if? You know, what if we start to see softness in out sales? What if this goes on and on and on?
JOHN BERMAN:
(VO) Today, the views from his fans were mixed.
PEDESTRIAN (GOLF FAN):
I don't have as much respect for him if that's what he did.
It's a personal thing and really between he and his family.
JOHN BERMAN:
(OC) Woods is not likely to play another golf tournament until the end of January. That's the next time we'll see him and possibly the next time we'll hear him. The public relations experts we spoke to said the best thing he can help himself at that tournament is to win it. Charlie?