Boundless Blessings and God's Grace

http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Cancer-Survivor-Taking-On-North-Dakota-Law-289996531.html

I wanted to share this TV coverage about my testimony to the ND House Human Services Committee, which occurred Wed., Jan. 28th in Bismarck. Many thanks to Chet Miller for driving me to Bismarck and back so I could appear in person at the hearing. Also a sincere thanks to Rep. Pamela Anderson, Rep. Kathy Hawken, Rep. Alisa Mitskog, Rep. Marie Strinden, and Sen. Carolyn C. Nelson for co-sponsoring and introducing ND House Bill No. 1370 – Mammography Results Reports.

If recommended for approval by the ND House Human Services Committee, passed by the legislature, and signed into law by our governor, this law would make certain that anyone undergoing a mammogram in North Dakota, no matter which facility completes the scan, would be required to notify the person completing the mammogram whether they have dense breast tissue. Additionally the patient would be informed in writing that this dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to detect cancer on a mammogram, and that this dense tissue may increase the risk of breast cancer. In its current form, the bill would hopefully initiate dialogue between the patient and their referring physician about going forward for additional testing so that potential breast cancer could be detected at its earliest stage.
I cannot imagine the number of lives this could save, the trauma it would save the patient if they were spared chemotherapy and other treatments, and the millions of healthcare dollars which could be saved, just in ND. There are 21 states in the US, including ND border state Minnesota, that have legislated density reporting to women, starting in Connecticut in 2009 – a testament that there is no shortage of women harmed by their dense breast tissue with missed, delayed and late stage breast cancer. We will hopefully know the committee’s recommendation soon. Until then, if you want to reach out to your legislators in ND, consider doing so. Prayers will also help and would be appreciated!