New mammogram laws going into effect nationwide

NEW YORK (WABC) -- There are new mammogram laws going into effect nationwide, including in the Tri-State area. This new rule could help patients, but it may cause unnecessary worry and testing.

The next time women get a mammogram, the report they get may include a letter telling them that their breast tissue is dense. That notification is now required by law in New York, Connecticut, and 10 other states nationwide. Some doctors are now saying it may be causing problems.

About 50% of all women have dense breast tissue. It is completely normal, and is especially common in young women. On a mammogram, that density, or thickness makes it harder to see a tumor. Breast cancer usually shows up as a brighter white area, but when the tissue is dense, it all looks white.

Extremely dense breast tissue is thought to double the average risk for developing breast cancer. If this applies to you, doctors in 12 states are now required by law to tell you in writing.

The so-called "Breast Density Laws" are designed to inform you, so you know that a) your mammography may not be accurate, and b) so you can consider additional testing, like an ultrasound, or an MRI of the breast.

However, now a new report says the laws could cause women to get further testing that they don't really need. So, to help patients and doctors, the researchers created a new website, "BreastDensity.Info", in order to provide information on what breast density means, and give the pros and cons of additional testing.

The law has not passed in New Jersey yet, but for anyone in New York and Connecticut, it is important to look at the report, and see if it tells you if you have dense breast tissue.

To visit BreastDensity.Info, CLICK HERE.

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womens health, mammogram, health news, dr. sapna parikh

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