The following provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions about breast density, breast cancer screening and the New Jersey Breast Density Law. (Presentation adapted from the RSNJ and California Breast Density Information Group (CBDIG) Scenarios for clinicians. March 2013.)
Q. What is the New Jersey breast density legislation?
A. A new law, effective May 1, 2014, that mandates that radiologists include the follow comment on all lay letters mailed to patients after their screening mammogram. “Your mammogram may show that you have dense breast tissue as determined by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. Dense breast tissue is very common and is not abnormal. However, in some cases, dense breast tissue can make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram and may also be associated with a risk factor for breast cancer. Discuss this and other risks for breast cancer that pertain to your personal medical history with your healthcare provider. A report of your results was sent to your healthcare provider. You man also find more information about breast density at the website for the American College of Radiology, www.acr.org.”
Q. My patient received her screening mammogram lay letter. Now she is concerned about her breast density. Her first question is “Should I continue to have mammograms?”
A. Yes. All patients should continue to have annual screening mammograms. Mammograms have been shown to be effective in decreasing breast cancer mortality for all breast densities.
Q. My patient is concerned that her breast density places her at increased risk for breast cancer.
A. Reassure your patient that breast density alone has a small impact on the risk for breast cancer. More importantly, they are not at increased risk of dying from breast cancer when compared to women with fatty breasts.
Q. My patient asks “How dense are my breasts?”
A. Refer to the mammogram report (different from the lay letter). There are four classifications of breast density (A,B,C,D). This is determined subjectively by the interpreting radiologist.
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at Atlantic Medical Imaging, please visit: women.myamihealth.com
