Simitian to host forum on breast-density bill Elections, posted by Editor, Mountain View Voice Online, on Sep 10, 2012 at 3:25 pm
State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, will host a forum Tuesday night to discuss the risks associated with dense breast tissue and the legislature he is spearheading that would require physicians to notify patients of their breast density.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, September 10, 2012, 10:36 AM
Posted by Whatever, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I am tired of Smitian's nanny-state laws ranging from cell phone use while driving to ...my breasts?? I wish he would tackle some of the real problems in the Bay Area such as adequate low-income housing and job creation.
Posted by Thanks Joe, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 3:53 pm
I don't understand why anyone would disagree with this...unless you are men and do not understand why this is important.
Clearly, doctors are not adequately informing patients of things that they need to know. I have never heard about my breast density, though have had many mammograms.
I am not a fan of Government getting into everything we do. But, if the doctors are not doing it, and it can be life/death, someone has to make them do it, I guess.
Posted by Sabrina, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 4:20 pm
This is an important piece of legislation considering that prevention is one of our most powerful tools we have to fight cancer at this time. I hope that is passes, I'd certainly like to be informed if I am at higher risk of breast cancer than others.
Posted by Skeptikal, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Surely a new law is not required. I don't want people making laws about my body. My doctor and I should discuss things like this without any lawyers, judges or police involved.
And I certainly don't want to pay for my doctor to fill out an extra form so the state can enforce these discussions.
Posted by SickOfSimitian, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Why would you assume your doctor isn't giving you clear and adequate information about your health without this legislation? Do you seriously believe that your doctor is incompetent and won't address your health issues absent a law requiring notification for this particular issue? If so, get a new doctor!
Public awareness about the issues surrounding dense breast tissue is important. But this law which mandats non-specific, untailored boilerplate text (that raises more questions than it answers) is not a sound way to achieve that awareness.