ATLANTA (February 20, 2019) | Today, House Bill 62 was heard by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Ben Watson (R – Savannah). This legislation would require a healthcare facility conducting mammograms to notify a patient if their mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue.
“I am proud to be hearing such an important bill that could save the lives of thousands of Georgians by increasing the chance of early detection of breast cancer,” said Sen. Watson. “If a woman is taking all proper preventative measures like getting a mammogram, her care center should be voicing any results that may cloud a potential cancer diagnosis, like dense breast tissue. Currently, several other states require this and it has proved vital to making women aware of why a mammogram might not be sufficient for those with dense tissue. I am glad there are citizens, like Ms. Singleton, who are aware of positive changes we can make statewide to help women see the warning signs of cancer.”
Representative Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, sponsored HB 62. This bill was brought to the attention of legislators by Savannah local, Margie Singleton, who has been an advocate for this law since being diagnosed with breast cancer six months after receiving a clean mammogram.
“This is something that is prevalent with not only me, Margie Singleton, but across the nation,” said Ms. Singleton. “I have learned that since my diagnosis there are 37 states that have passed law similar to this because having dense breast tissue does make them more at risk for breast cancer. So, I am here today trying to make this a law in Georgia so we can help protect other women so they do not have to go through this.”
The bill will be carried by Sen. Watson in the Senate. You can follow the progress of the bill here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/HB/62
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Sen. Ben Watson is Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 1st Senate District, which includes portions of Chatham County, all of Bryan County, and most of Liberty County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.7880 or by email at ben.watson@senate.ga.gov