State Law Seeks To Expand Services For Breast Cancer Patients
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A proposed state law would require hospitals to give breast cancer patients information on reconstruction surgery before they go under the knife.
State Senate President Malcolm Smith says, if passed, women won't leave the doctor's office without knowing their options.
"Some were unaware that they could have reconstructive surgery, that they could have their breast rebuilt to what it was before, and they were just leaving without that after the reconstructive surgery," Smith said. "Now this tells them, not only do you have the option, but we can also do it for you, and it can be covered in cost. And that is just so critical to anyone who has the unfortunate circumstance of having breast cancer."
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The government says nearly 200,000 American women are diagnosed with the disease, with 40,000 deaths attributed each year.