Breast density reporting legislation signed into law in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed the state’s breast density reporting legislation into law. Providers that perform mammography are now required to send a notice to patients when it is determined they have dense breast tissue.
The notice is to contain the following language:
Your mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is found in almost 40 percent of women and is a normal finding. However, studies show that dense breast tissue can make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram and is associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Regular screening mammograms are still recommended for you.
This information is provided to raise your awareness about the result of your mammogram. You can use this information to talk with your health care professional about your own risks for breast cancer. Together, you can decide which screening options are right for you. The results of your mammogram were sent to your doctor. Please note that breast density is affected by several factors and may change over time.
“I am proud to have authored this legislation which will positively impact thousands of women across Wisconsin,” Rep. Mike Rohrkaste, who authored the bill, said in a prepared statement.
Wisconsin is now the 35th state to pass legislation related to breast density notification. An interactive map from Are You Dense? Advocacy can be found on the group’s website.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.