PRINTER'S NO. 2155
No. 349 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, WENGER, PILEGGI, MELLOW, TARTAGLIONE,
REGOLA, ERICKSON, KITCHEN, RAFFERTY, D. WHITE, COSTA,
GREENLEAF, DINNIMAN, O'PAKE, WAUGH, FUMO, VANCE, BOSCOLA,
MUSTO, FERLO, FONTANA, LOGAN, KASUNIC, WASHINGTON, BROWNE,
RHOADES, PIPPY AND LAVALLE, OCTOBER 12, 2006
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, OCTOBER 12, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Joint State Government Commission to create a Pink
2 Ribbon Advisory Committee to study the timely detection of
3 breast cancer.
4 WHEREAS, Since 1969, death due to breast cancer has occurred
5 more frequently among women living in Pennsylvania than among
6 women living in the United States as a whole; and
7 WHEREAS, Since the last decade of the 20th century, breast
8 cancer mortality rates began declining in the United States and
9 in Pennsylvania; and
10 WHEREAS, Many women in this Commonwealth are continuing to
11 live normal lives because of early breast cancer detection; and
12 WHEREAS, Many women in this Commonwealth have been afforded
13 the opportunity to undergo breast cancer screening; and
14 WHEREAS, The combination of detection through screening and
15 treatment with more effective therapies has prolonged the lives
16 of women with breast cancer; and
17 WHEREAS, Some women, despite screening, have succumbed to
1 cancers that were not detected in their early stages; and
2 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth seeks to increase early breast
3 cancer detection so that more women may live out their normal
4 life spans; and
5 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, with its many medical schools,
6 teaching hospitals, world-renowned cancer specialists and breast
7 surgeons and cancer and breast centers, is fortunate to have the
8 expertise available to recommend what may be done to increase
9 early breast cancer detection; therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
11 Commission to conduct a study on the timely detection of breast
12 cancer; and be it further
13 RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study at
14 least all of the following:
15 (1) The state of breast cancer screening technology and
16 the cost of that technology.
17 (2) The education and training of persons who perform
18 breast cancer screenings and interpret the results.
19 (3) The number of qualified breast imaging specialists
20 and mammography radiologists.
21 (4) The number of screening and treatment professionals
22 and paraprofessionals in relation to the number of women in
23 this Commonwealth.
24 (5) The accessibility of women in rural areas to
25 professionals and paraprofessionals.
26 (6) The existence of guidelines for breast imaging or
27 mammography.
28 (7) The incidence of adherence to the guidelines.
29 (8) The existence of and adherence to guidelines for
30 follow-up with women found to have abnormal symptoms.
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1 (9) The need to create guidelines or standards of care
2 for detection and follow-up in this Commonwealth.
3 (10) The adequacy of provider reimbursement by public
4 and private sectors.
5 (11) The availability of insurance for first and second
6 opinions.
7 (12) The information made available to women who have
8 been found to have abnormal symptoms;
9 and be it further
10 RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission create a
11 Pink Ribbon Advisory Committee composed of individuals from
12 breast centers and cancer centers and rural breast centers and
13 cancer centers; breast imaging radiologists, breast surgeons,
14 primary care providers, including family practitioners and
15 obstetrician-gynecologists; mammography/breast imaging
16 technologists; administrators of mammography and imaging
17 facilities; insurance industry representatives; the Pennsylvania
18 Cancer Alliance; representatives of advocacy groups such as the
19 Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the Susan B. Komen
20 Foundation; representatives of the Pennsylvania Division of the
21 American Cancer Society; and representatives of any other
22 interested parties the commission chooses to assist in its
23 deliberations; and be it further
24 RESOLVED, That the commission provide the Senate with its
25 findings and recommendations on how Pennsylvania can increase
26 the detection of breast cancer; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the commission report its findings and
28 recommendations to the Senate no later than September 2007.
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