Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.

Crisco Hosts Taiwanese Breast Cancer Specialist For Screening Summit

Experts working to export Connecticut’s enhanced policies

State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today hosted Taiwanese breast cancer specialist Dr. Pai-Jung Huang at the state Capitol. Dr. Huang is Medical Director of the Taipei Medical University Hospital and is working to import for his country many of Connecticut’s breast cancer screening policies, championed by Senator Crisco in recent years.

Senator Crisco introduced Dr. Huang to reporters at a press conference this afternoon. Breast cancer specialists from Massachusetts attended Tuesday’s event as well. The international summit was coordinated by Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., President and Founder of Are You Dense, Inc., a breast cancer information clearinghouse and advocacy organization. Dr. Cappello is a breast cancer survivor.

Senator Crisco said initiatives to mirror Connecticut’s groundbreaking breast cancer screening policies, designed in part to help women with dense breast tissue gain access to all manner of screening options, are underway in at least eight other states and now two foreign countries.

“Connecticut has established itself as a leader in breast cancer awareness, now providing mandatory referrals to and insurance coverage for additional screening as necessary; our proactive approach has already helped not just the women who live here, but their sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers besides,” Senator Crisco said. “It’s extremely gratifying to know the success we’ve had here gives hope to women and breast cancer prevention advocates elsewhere—I’ve pledged to help Dr. Huang and others adapt our policies to suit their needs.”

“On the legislative side, Texas passed a breast density information bill like Connecticut’s two weeks ago and California has passed a similar bill in its Senate; likewise New York passed a senate bill but there wasn’t time enough to have it called in the House,” according to Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., President and Founder of Are You Dense, Inc. “We also have action in New Hampshire, Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Pennsylvania to bring those states up to Connecticut’s standards.”

“Senator Crisco's understanding of this issue and Connecticut’s legislation is spreading across the country,” Dr. Cappello added. “Internationally, in addition to this Taiwanese delegation we are also working with Canadian authorities.”