By Aine Cryts
Thirty-eight states have passed legislation mandating dense breast notification, according to DenseBreast-info.org. Stamatia Destounias, MD, attending radiologist at Rochester, N.Y.’s Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, tells AXIS Imaging News that in states across the country, laws contain variations in language, including verbiage that focuses on supplemental screening.
Destounias, who’s also clinical professor at University of Rochester Imaging Services, explains that, in February 2019, Congress passed a law that required all facilities that provide mammography to:
- Explain the effect of breast density in masking the presence of breast cancer in a mammogram
- Provide a qualitative assessment of breast density by the interpreting radiologist
- Remind patients with dense breast tissue to discuss their questions or concerns with their healthcare providers
Facilities must comply with the federal law within 18 months of its passage, Destounias tells AXIS.
“This increase in notification of women with dense breast tissue will likely lead to an increase in the population of women inquiring about additional screening services that may benefit them,” she says. “Understanding the newest developments regarding breast ultrasound is vital so [that] radiology personnel can have clear, informed, and personalized conversations with primary-care physicians, gynecologists, and patients regarding best practices for individual women.”
Aine Cryts is a contributing writer for AXIS Imaging News.
