Hannah Nien MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yasmeen K. Shariff MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cynthia Ann Barone DO, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Breast density is an emerging topic that has received significant media attention recently. Currently, there is a push to pass a bill requiring that a letter be sent to patients post mammography, detailing the patient’s breast density. The purpose of our study was to survey the Breast Imagers across the country to find out whether or not they support the breast density bill and their reasoning behind their stance.

Permission was obtained from the Society of Breast Imagers to use the SBI email list. An anonymous survey was emailed to the members of SBI across the United States regarding the recent State and Federal effort to pass the breast density bill. Questions included whether or not they support the breast density bill, and what would be their argument for or against the bill. There were questions specifically asking those who practice in the state that have already passed the bill whether or not they thought it has had a positive impact on patient care and their practice.

A total of 351 responses were obtained. 68.6% did not support the bill and 31.4% supported the bill. Patient confusion was the most frequently stated argument against the bill, followed by unnecessary patient anxiety and fear. Patient education was the most frequently stated argument for the bill, followed by improved/early cancer detection. Of those who practice in states that have already passed the bill, 36% reported positive effect on patient care while 28% reported negative effect and 20% were unsure.

Breast density influences the sensitivity of mammography and the breast density bill addresses the issue of alerting patients of this limitation of annual mammograms. The result of our study suggests that a majority of Breast Imagers across the nation does not support the bill because the sending density information to the patients would cause patient confusion, unnecessary anxiety and fear. Furthermore, there are complex issues involving the adjunct screening modalities including the limited availability of equipment and adequately trained personnel as well as the high false positive rates and higher radiation doses.

Our study addresses the recent State and Federal push to pass the bill that makes density reporting to patients mandatory which would have a large clinical impact on how Breast Imagers practice daily.

Nien, H, Shariff, Y, Barone, C, Breast Density Bill: Is This a Good Idea?.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13014930.html