§ 20-113. Alternative methods of cancer treatment.
(a) Duty of physician to educate patient.- Before a physician treats any patient for any form of breast cancer, the physician shall educate the patient of alternative methods of treatment that may be medically practicable.
(b) Duties of Department.- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall:
(1) Provide a standardized written summary in layman's language that:
(i) Lists all effective methods of treatment for breast cancer that may be medically practicable including surgical, radiological, chemotherapeutic, and combinations of those treatments; and
(ii) Describes the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and procedures associated with each method of treatment listed;
(2) Update the standardized written summary annually;
(3) Distribute the standardized written summary to each hospital, clinic, and physician's office and other facility that performs treatments of breast cancer.
(c) Satisfaction of requirements.- A physician satisfies the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if:
(1) The physician provides a breast cancer patient with the standardized written summary described in subsection (b) of this section in language that the patient understands;
(2) The patient receives the standardized written summary within 5 days of the start of the treatment for breast cancer; and
(3) The patient signs a statement provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene acknowledging the receipt of the standardized written summary.
(d) Exceptions.- This section does not apply if the attending physician certifies that:
(1) Treatment for breast cancer occurred within 5 days of the physician informing the patient of the diagnosis; and
(2) Treatment within this period of time was necessary to save the life of the patient.
(e) Violations; penalties.- A physician who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section is subject to the provisions of § 14-404 (a) (27) of the Health Occupations Article.
§ 20-113. Alternative methods of cancer treatment.
(a) Duty of physician to educate patient.- Before a physician treats any patient for any form of breast cancer, the physician shall educate the patient of alternative methods of treatment that may be medically practicable.
(b) Duties of Department.- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall:
(1) Provide a standardized written summary in layman's language that:
(i) Lists all effective methods of treatment for breast cancer that may be medically practicable including surgical, radiological, chemotherapeutic, and combinations of those treatments; and
(ii) Describes the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and procedures associated with each method of treatment listed;
(2) Update the standardized written summary annually;
(3) Distribute the standardized written summary to each hospital, clinic, and physician's office and other facility that performs treatments of breast cancer.
(c) Satisfaction of requirements.- A physician satisfies the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if:
(1) The physician provides a breast cancer patient with the standardized written summary described in subsection (b) of this section in language that the patient understands;
(2) The patient receives the standardized written summary within 5 days of the start of the treatment for breast cancer; and
(3) The patient signs a statement provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene acknowledging the receipt of the standardized written summary.
(d) Exceptions.- This section does not apply if the attending physician certifies that:
(1) Treatment for breast cancer occurred within 5 days of the physician informing the patient of the diagnosis; and
(2) Treatment within this period of time was necessary to save the life of the patient.
(e) Violations; penalties.- A physician who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section is subject to the provisions of § 14-404 (a) (27) of the Health Occupations Article.
§ 20-113. Alternative methods of cancer treatment.
(a) Duty of physician to educate patient.- Before a physician treats any patient for any form of breast cancer, the physician shall educate the patient of alternative methods of treatment that may be medically practicable.
(b) Duties of Department.- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall:
(1) Provide a standardized written summary in layman's language that:
(i) Lists all effective methods of treatment for breast cancer that may be medically practicable including surgical, radiological, chemotherapeutic, and combinations of those treatments; and
(ii) Describes the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and procedures associated with each method of treatment listed;
(2) Update the standardized written summary annually;
(3) Distribute the standardized written summary to each hospital, clinic, and physician's office and other facility that performs treatments of breast cancer.
(c) Satisfaction of requirements.- A physician satisfies the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if:
(1) The physician provides a breast cancer patient with the standardized written summary described in subsection (b) of this section in language that the patient understands;
(2) The patient receives the standardized written summary within 5 days of the start of the treatment for breast cancer; and
(3) The patient signs a statement provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene acknowledging the receipt of the standardized written summary.
(d) Exceptions.- This section does not apply if the attending physician certifies that:
(1) Treatment for breast cancer occurred within 5 days of the physician informing the patient of the diagnosis; and
(2) Treatment within this period of time was necessary to save the life of the patient.
(e) Violations; penalties.- A physician who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section is subject to the provisions of § 14-404 (a) (27) of the Health Occupations Article.
