Most states require at least some women to receive information about breast density-and that information is leading to more conversations.
State-level density reporting laws help increase breast density awareness, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Researchers from Connecticut and Washington conducted a national survey to understand the impact of state-level density reporting laws on women’s level of density risk awareness and their engagement in conversations with providers regarding supplemental screening.
The study included survey responses from 1,500 women, aged 40 to 74 years, who obtained a mammogram within the previous two years. The sampling design yielded 300 respondents in each of five groups categorized based on density reporting law features:
The questions in the survey asked about breast density-related knowledge, the importance of being notified, and sources of information and if conversations with providers regarding density and supplemental screening occurred. Survey results were compared across groups and between women residing in states with versus without density laws.
Related article: Breast Density Notification Laws by State - Interactive Map
The results showed that the majority of respondents (85% to 90%) in all groups felt that it is important for women to know their breast density type. Women were most likely informed of breast density type by:
Women who were from states that had a density law were significantly more likely to have learned of their breast tissue type from a mammogram results letter (60% versus 48%) and discuss supplemental screening (67% versus 53%) than women from states without a law.
The researchers concluded that state-level density reporting laws are associated with increased breast density awareness and increased likelihood of conversations between women and their providers regarding supplemental screening.
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