HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1546

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

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

Brief Description:  Enacting the anticancer act of 1995.

Sponsors:  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].

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 Substitute Bill:  The Department of Health is required 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The reference is removed to holding hearings and compiling research annually until 2000, linking abortion to breast cancer.  Making it illegal to perform abortions without advising the patient of research linking abortion to breast cancer and requiring that minors cannot give informed consent to a substantial cancer risk are eliminated.  The requirement that performance of an abortion without sufficient malpractice insurance to cover potential liability for reproductive cancers is also removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Substitute 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.