The Divide Between Breast Density Notification Laws and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening: Legislating Practice.

The researchers report, “As of April 2015, breast density notification laws had been enacted in 22 states and are advancing in an additional 13 states, and federal legislation has been introduced.Modeling suggests that at least 28 million women in the United States between the ages of 40 and 74 years (43% of women in this age group) could be affected by such legislation. Breast density notification laws have the well-intentioned goals of improving individual decision making and the quality of breast cancer screening. However, there are few data that the laws actually improve the understanding of breast cancer risk, the limitations of mammography as a screening test, and the diagnosis or patient outcomes. Moreover, the laws create the unsubstantiated anticipation that additional testing is better for women.”

Citation for full-text

Haas JS, Kaplan CP. The Divide Between Breast Density Notification Laws and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening: Legislating Practice. JAMA Intern Med 2015;175(9):1439-1440.