SD23 - The Informed Consent for Treatment of Breast Cancer

  • Published: 1984
  • Author: Joint Subcommittee Studying the Informed Consent for Treatment of Breast Cancer
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 41 (Regular Session, 1983)

Executive Summary:
The Joint Subcommittee Studying the Informed Consent for Treatment of Breast Cancer was authorized to conduct its study by Senate Joint Resolution No. 41 agreed to during the 1983 Session of the General Assembly. The resolution may be found in Appendix A of this report. Senate Joint Resolution No. 41 of 1983 requested that the Joint Subcommittee examine the issue to determine:

1. If the Commonwealth should codify informed consent and, if so, what standards should be established;

2. Feasible ways to communicate, to women and physicians, valid information on the treatment available for breast cancer; and

3. Whether unnecessary operations are being performed in the Commonwealth and the means to prevent such operations if they are being performed.

Appointed to serve on the Joint Subcommittee were Senators John C. Buchanan of Wise, Richard L. Saslaw of Annandale, and Edward E. Willey of Richmond, Chairman; Delegates John C. Brown of Bristol, Bernard S. Cohen of Alexandria, Vice-Chairman, Benjamin J. Lambert, III, of Richmond, Phoebe M. Orebaugh of Broadway, and Julie L. Smith of Virginia Beach. Citizen members appointed to the Joint Subcommittee were Robert L. Adeson, M.D., of Falls Church, Tapan Aditya Hazra, M.D., of Richmond, Elise Brookfield Heinz of Arlington and Anita A. Rimier of Richmond.