Q & A: Laws regarding breast density?
Why are there laws in some states regarding women receiving their breast density information?
- A wonderful grass-roots organization has been founded by women personally affected by the lack of information given to them regarding the density of their breasts (www.AreYouDense.org), and they are doing everything they can to address this issue for all women. Because of their advocacy, laws have recently been passed in Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, New York and California, requiring that women be informed of their density when they have a mammogram. Bills are also active in several other states, as well as at a federal level. Two of our surgeons at Montclair Breast Center testified in front of the New Jersey State Senate Commerce Committee, where a bill was unanimously approved to move to the next step in the process of becoming a state law. Unfortunately, because of strong lobbying by health insurance companies, the bills (except in Connecticut) have been watered down and do not include the mandate that patients’ insurance companies cover the cost of second-level screening tests for women with dense breasts. Hopefully, with enough pressure from the 40% of women with dense breast tissue, this situation will change in the future.
Tags: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast density, Montclair Breast Center, Q&A to Honor Pink October 2012
