To the editor:
Thanks to breakthroughs in science and modern medicine, doctors and medical professionals are able to treat illnesses and diseases more effectively than ever before.
Sadly, all the technology in the world is sometimes not enough to save our loved ones.
In 2000, I lost my wife to ovarian and breast cancer. Many other Minnesotans have watched the lives of their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters cut short as well. There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing a loved one, which is why I introduced legislation this year that would save lives by detecting breast cancer earlier.
House File 2551 builds on an existing federal law that requires doctors to provide a written report of results after women have a mammogram performed. My bill simply adds language to that report letting women know if they have dense breasts, which may increase their risk of contracting breast cancer. Dense breast tissue also makes it harder for doctors to see cancer on mammograms.
Fourteen other states have recently passed breast density notification legislation, with more currently considering similar bills. If we adopt these measures in our state, we can improve Minnesotans’ ability to make informed choices with their families and doctors about their health.
I am hopeful this legislation can begin a conversation among Minnesotans throughout our state about steps we can take to save lives in the fight against breast cancer.
Sincerely,
Tom Anzelc
State Representative, District 5B