Res. No. 83
Resolution calling upon the New York State legislature to pass legislation requiring insurance companies to cover other types of cancer screening testing including genetics testing, ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging and mandating that insurance companies dedicate a portion of their profits to researching and developing new early detection screening measures for cancer.
By Council Members Crowley, Brewer, Comrie, Dickens, Dromm, Fidler, Koppell, Koslowitz, Palma, Van Bramer, Nelson, Halloran and Koo
Whereas, Breast and ovarian cancer are two types of cancer that substantially affect women; and
Whereas, According to the American Cancer Society, a leading public health organization, in 2009, approximately 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States; and
Whereas, In addition, an estimated 40,170 women lost their battle to breast cancer in 2009; and
Whereas, While the cause of breast cancer remains unknown, individuals can make certain lifestyle changes to lower their risk of developing the disease including reducing alcohol use, breastfeeding, engaging in physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and a proper diet; and
Whereas, Yet, there are many factors that contribute to breast cancer including age, race, ethnicity, family history and reproductive history which cannot be modified; and
Whereas, Therefore, the most important tool in reducing the risk of breast cancer is early detection as the earlier the disease is detected, the better the chance for successful treatment; and
Whereas, Doctors attribute breast cancer screening and early detection to saving thousands of women's lives each year; and
Whereas, There are many screening tools including mammography, clinical breast exam, breast self exam, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which can all help detect cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage; and
Whereas, Mammography is one of the most effective screening tools at finding breast cancer at an early stage; and
Whereas, Yet, mammograms do have some limitations where a small percentage of cancers can be missed by the test and in other cases, an abnormal mammogram may require a biopsy which later turns out to be negative for breast cancer; and
Whereas, Currently, New York State law mandates that insurance companies provide mammograms for a person of any age who has a close relative with a history of cancer, a baseline reading between the ages 30 to 35 years and annually at age 40 and older; and
Whereas, While this is significant, coverage should be expanded to cover other types of screening tools including MRI, genetics testing and other developing technologies; and
Whereas, MRI is generally recommended for women who are at high-risk of developing breast cancer, those that have a family history or prior radiation treatment, as it is able to detect cancer that may be missed by a mammogram; and
Whereas, Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is another screening tool which allows the physician to use sound waves to look into the patient's body and further examine a mass in a less invasive manner; and
Whereas, Genetics testing is also available as a tool to screen for breast cancer, as this technique examines the genes looking for alterations that may increase risk of cancer; and
Whereas, In addition to breast cancer, ovarian cancer is also a substantial public health problem facing women, accounting for the leading cause of death from cancer of the female reproductive system; and
Whereas, In the United States, in 2009, there were an estimated 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer in women and approximately 14,600 women died as a result of this disease; and
Whereas, Certain behavioral and lifestyle changes can lower a woman's risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer; and
Whereas, Approximately 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage and this improves the woman's chance of successful treatment and survival; and
Whereas, Early detection tools for ovarian cancer include pelvic exams and ultrasounds and blood tests for women who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer; and
Whereas, Additionally, there are other tests to help determine if a woman has ovarian cancer including computed tomography, barium enema x-rays, MRI, positron emission tomography, laparoscopy, colonoscopy and biopsy; and
Whereas, While New York State law created an ovarian cancer information program and ovarian cancer is part of the state's cancer control plan, insurance coverage of ovarian cancer testing is not mandated and ovarian cancer clinical trials are not covered by insurance; and
Whereas, Many of these advanced screening technologies for breast and ovarian cancer are widely available but unfortunately, they are not all covered by health insurance programs; and
Whereas, Any test that a physician believes will be useful in detecting cancer at an earlier stage should be covered as part of an individual's health insurance coverage; and
Whereas, Insurance companies should be at the forefront of improving and investing in medical technologies that could detect cancers earlier, as this would further reduce health care costs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State legislature to pass legislation requiring insurance companies to cover other types of cancer screening testing including genetics testing, ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging and mandating that insurance companies dedicate a portion of their profits to researching and developing new early detection screening measures for cancer.
LS# 762
3/19/10
JM