Conroy urges breast cancer study

Connecticut has high rate of disease

Legislation introduced by state Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, was the subject of a public hearing Wednesday by the Legislature’s Public Health Committee. 

The bill (HB 5728) would commission a study of breast cancer rates in Connecticut.

As a board member of Seymour Pink, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer organization with the slogan "A Community's Fight Against Breast Cancer," Conroy became acutely aware of the state’s ranking as number two in the country for incidences of breast cancer. 

Conroy is a member of the Public Health Committee. 

“As a state, we have done great work in screening and identifying breast cancer, along with having premium health agencies and hospitals that work to treat breast cancer,” Conroy said. 

“However, no real data is available to identify any possible causes, such as environmental, that may be contributing to the high incidence. The next stage in fighting breast cancer needs to be finding out the reason why.” 

Conroy and Seymour resident Marci White outside the Legislature’s Public Health hearing.

Conroy was joined at the public hearing by Seymour resident Marci White, a mother of two young children, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012.

“Women in their 20s and 30s should not be dealing with this horrific disease when they should be concentrating on raising their young children,” Conroy said.

In testimony before the committee White said, “I want to preserve my hometown and protect the next generation. Please help our state learn why we have such a high rate of breast cancer.”

The Legislation is supported by the state’s Permanent Commission of the Status of Women and the Naugatuck Valley Health District.

This information is taken from a press release from Conroy's office.