Congress Passes Breast Cancer Education law

 Through a bipartisan effort, Congress passed the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act (BCPEA) at the end of 2015.  Nearly 230,000 women in 2015 were diagnosed with breast cancer, and this act ensures that they will be informed of all their options.
Insurers that cover breast cancer treatment are required to cover reconstructive services.  Spearheaded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the act aims to fill gaps in patient knowledge of reconstructive services.  Less than half of all women requiring a mastectomy are offered breast reconstructive surgery.  Less than one in five will undergo reconstruction.  While women decline reconstruction for different reasons, there still are many that report a lack of knowledge of the options.
The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to plan an education campaign for breast cancer patients to inform them of the reconstruction and prosthetic options.  It will also inform them of the possibility that breast reconstruction can be performed immediately at the time of their cancer surgery, or delayed to a later time.  Women can also choose not to have reconstruction and instead have a prostheses or other breast form.
The BCPEA also aims to inform women of racial and ethnic minority groups, who are less likely to be offered or receive any reconstructive surgery.
Call us today at 661-253-2211 to discuss your options.  Dr. Tran is a double board certified plastic surgeon trained at the Mayo Clinic.  Visit us at www.paultranmd.com.