Dense Breast Legislation

Breast density is something that we as radiologists are always aware of. We always mention in our mammography reports whether the breasts are very dense, moderately so, or not very dense. There are actually 4 categories. The problem is that the information is not always communicated to the patients. We are required by MQSA to provide every patient with the results of their mammogram in writing. Some folks mail these results while others, like myself, usually provide it to the patient when she has completed her exam. We are now attempting to include information about density in those results. Our mammography technologists will answer any questions that the patient may have, and frequently I will also speak with them myself. I don't really have an opinion about whether legislation is the way to handle this.