HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1546

                      As Passed House:

                       March 14, 1995

Title:  An act relating to reducing incidents of breast cancer linked to abortion.

Brief Description:  Enacting the anticancer act of 1995.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Casada, Goldsmith, Padden, Stevens, Boldt, Sherstad, Johnson, Fuhrman, Backlund, McMahan, D. Schmidt and Koster).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/28/95 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/14/95, 60-38.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Campbell; Casada; Crouse; Morris; Sherstad and Skinner.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway and Kessler.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  The theory behind a possible link between pregnancy termination and breast cancer is based on the hormonal disruption that happens when a woman's pregnancy is interrupted.   Pregnancy initiates a surge of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin),  that leads to differentiation of the cells in the breast glands in preparation for lactation.  The changing concentration of hormones during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy lead to increased differentiation.  In a first pregnancy, the  results of these hormonal changes permanently alter the structure of the breast.  Interruption during the first trimester of a first pregnancy causes a cessation of cell differentiation, which may result in a subsequent increase in the risk of cancerous growth in these tissues.  Recent investigations have indicated that an elevated level of estrogen in a women's body can be linked with an increased risk of breast cancer.  Although the studies are preliminary, some publications have reported that abortion could also be linked to increased risk of breast cancer.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Health is required to contract with a recognized regional cancer research center to provide a summary of the research that has been published linking spontaneous and induced abortion to breast cancer and report its findings by December 12, 1995, to appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  A patient should be advised of all of the risks and the benefits of medical procedures.  This includes termination of a pregnancy.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dr. Kathleen Skriner and Dr. Thomas Skriner (pro); and Kathleen Malone, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.