Chafee signs mammogram information bill

THE NEW LAW requires health care facilities that perform mammograms to notify their patient of any finding of dense breast tissue and basic information about breast density. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
THE NEW LAW requires health care facilities that perform mammograms to notify their patient of any finding of dense breast tissue and basic information about breast density. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has signed a bill intended to help improve Rhode Island women’s health and safety by requiring facilities that perform mammograms to provide their patients with more information on the subject of breast density and more complete reporting on the results of their tests.

The new law requires health care facilities that perform mammograms to notify their patient of any finding of dense breast tissue and basic information about breast density. Under the “Dense Breast Notification and Education Act,” beginning October 1 of this year, mammogram exam summaries provided to patients must include information that identifies the patient’s individual breast tissue classification based on the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American College of Radiology.

Research has shown that having dense breast tissue may increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer, and the American Cancer Society noted in a recent publication that dense breast tissue also makes it harder for doctors to see cancer on mammograms.

The law provides that, if the testing facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue, the summary to be provided will include a notice that says, in part, “The presence of dense tissue can make it more difficult to detect cancers in the breast by mammography, because it can hide small abnormalities and may be associated with an increased risk. Hence, you may benefit from supplementary screening tests. … We are providing this information to raise your awareness of this important factor.”

- Advertisement -

A report of the result, under the law, will also be sent to the individual’s physician.

No posts to display