Crisco leads Senate passage of breast cancer screening bill

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday led unanimous and bipartisan passage of a bill that would require insurance companies to pay for a high-tech medical procedure that has been shown in studies to detect 40 percent more invasive breast cancers.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco

Tomosynthesis typically provides clearer and more accurate views of a breast as opposed to a standard two dimensional mammogram, thereby allowing for a more precise image of the location, size and shape of any abnormalities.

Tomosynthesis also reduces so-called “false positives” compared to other breast cancer detection methods, and has been shown in many studies to find 40 percent more invasive cancers.   

The bill has special meaning for Crisco: his wife Pat has recently undergone chemotherapy, surgery, and now radiation for breast cancer.

“This modern technology of tomosynthesis is offering new opportunities for physicians to detect cancer and offer life-saving treatments earlier than ever,” Crisco said on the floor of the Senate in support of the bill. 
“This bill takes a very strong stand for women’s health.” 

The bill passed the House of Representatives last week on an overwhelming and bipartisan 139-3 vote, and now heads to the governor for his consideration.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.