Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,I-Lockport) announced the passage in the Assembly of legislation, A.5677, that would expand breast cancer diagnosis options for New Yorkers across the state to include 3-D mammography, allowing New Yorkers to get more accurate and earlier diagnosis. Early detection of any cancer is a key marker in prognosis and greatly improves a patient’s chances of beating the disease.

“With 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, this is a disease that touches all of our lives. I am very proud that the state Assembly unanimously voted in favor of this common-sense proposal to expand diagnosis options and give more women a better chance at living a healthy, cancer-free life,” said Norris.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, traditional mammography results in 84 percent accuracy. However, the traditional test does lead to false positives and inaccuracies, particularly with younger patients. Older patients who are taking hormone replacement therapy may also have irregular mammography results. Tomosynthesis, or 3-D mammography, is a newer technology that provides doctors with clearer and more thorough imaging that can lead to even earlier and more accurate diagnosis. However, the innovative technology is not covered by most insurers. The bill corrects that and brought members of the Assembly together in a bipartisan fashion to pass unanimously. It is now before the state Senate for their consideration