Last week, Dr. Huffaker and Dr. Lund swept Dr. White out of retirement for their yearly trip to Washington, DC. Many have asked us why our surgeons go to The Capital every year, and the answer is simple: to fight for patient rights.
This year, their effort was focused on The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act of 2013. This bill “amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide for the planning and implementation of an education campaign to inform breast cancer patients anticipating surgery regarding the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction, prostheses, and other options, with a focus on informing patients who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.” ( Taken directly from congress.gov )
Many breast cancer survivors aren’t made aware of the surgical options available for them. While many women will choose to not have reconstruction after a mastectomy, many women will want that option, and our doctors think that it is imperative that women need to know what is feasible.
“We feel that it is important to empower women with information about treatment possibilities following surgery for breast cancer,” said Dr. Huffaker.
For more information on the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act of 2013 (H.R.1984), visit congress.gov.
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