Introduced By: Reps. Giannini, Martineau, Pires, Ginaitt and Fox
Date Introduced : February 24, 1999
It is enacted by the general assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
{ADD 23-12.6-1 Title. -- ADD} {ADD This act shall be known as the Rhode Island Ovarian Cancer Education, Detection and Prevention Act of 1999. ADD}
{ADD 23-12.6-2 Preamble. -- ADD} {ADD Ovarian cancer is a dangerous threat to the female population in the state as one (1) in every fifty-five (55) women is stricken with the disease; three -quarters of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed after the disease has reached advanced stages- (3rd or 4th stage)- and fifty percent (50%) of women die within five (5) years of diagnosis. When ovarian cancer is detected in its early stages, the survival rate is ninety-two percent (92%). The overwhelming majority of women who get ovarian cancer have no known risk factors. Ovarian cancer symptoms are subtle and easily confused with symptoms of other disorders. The result is most often women do not recognize the symptoms, the result of which is often fatal. The Rhode Island General Assembly hereby declares it a matter of public health and urgency to declare war on ovarian cancer in Rhode Island and does hereby create the 1999 Rhode Island ovarian cancer evaluation, detection and prevention act of 1999. ADD}
{ADD 23-12.6-3 Public policy goals. Department of Health. -- ADD} {ADD The Department of Health, through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, is hereby authorized and mandated to achieve and implement the following public health policy goals as they relate to ovarian cancer in Rhode Island. ADD}
{ADD (a) The Department of Health, through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, is hereby mandated to yearly sponsor a public education campaign to expand women's and health care providers awareness about the disease. This campaign shall consist of awareness about the common symptoms of the disease, screening tests and examinations by gynecologists which can detect the early symptoms of the disease. ADD}
{ADD (b) The Department of Health, through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, shall establish as public policy in the state, increased funding for research and advocacy for creating genetic testing policies. ADD}
{ADD (c) The Department of Health, through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, shall work with major health providers in Rhode Island to research and extend and promote the awareness and understanding of ovarian cancer in order to improve screening and detection tools and to work with the national organizations to assist in finding a cure. ADD}
{ADD (d) The Department of Health, through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, shall coordinate the work of ovarian cancer groups, activists, researchers, support groups and health advocates and shall annually report to the General Assembly the progress it is making to advance education, detection and research and improved therapies concerning ovarian cancer affecting women in the state. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
