McAuliffe Legislation to Raise Awareness on Breast Cancer Detection Passes House Unanimously

Springfield, IL...  The Illinois House unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) that will raise awareness on the various breast cancer detection services available to women in Illinois. 

According to Rep. McAuliffe, the Chief Sponsor of House Bill 3765, the legislation responds to relatively new technology available that would detect breast cancer quicker in women with dense breast tissue. The bill asks the Illinois Department of Public Health to include information on 3-D mammography in state pamphlets

“When breast density is high, mammograms are harder to interpret than when breast density is low. Many women find that after going through a regular mammogram, they get a call to get retested,” explained McAuliffe, adding that 40-percent of women who have mammograms have dense breast tissue. “3-D mammography provides a clearer, more accurate view of breast cancer and helps radiologists distinguish between cancer masses, and overlapping tissue.”

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Rep. McAuliffe noted that the stage at which breast cancer is detected greatly influences a woman’s chance of survival.

“If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is greater than 95-percent. Dense breast tissue can make cancerous tumors more difficult to detect on a regular mammogram. By including this information in IDPH pamphlets, women will be better informed that if they have a dense breast, there may be other options so they can avoid getting tested and retested each time they go to the doctor for a mammogram,” said McAuliffe.

House Bill 3765 now moves onto the Illinois Senate for further consideration. For more information please contact State Rep. Michael McAuliffe at (773) 444-0611.