Tennessee has become the eighth state with Breast Density Inform legislation. Alabama's Breast Density Inform bill into law becomes effective July 1, 2014. The bill (SB22) was passed May 20 and Governor Robert Bentley signed it into law May 21. Alabama becomes the ninth state to enact mandatory Breast Density Inform (Chapter: 2013-284). Thirty-six percent of American women now live in states with mandatory Breast Density Inform.
The states that now require breast density notification include Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, New York, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Tennessee and now Alabama.
Standard inform language for the patient should include the following information: Your mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is common and not abnormal. However, dense tissue can make it harder to evaluate the results of your mammogram and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This information about the results of your mammogram is given to you to raise your awareness and to inform your conversations with your doctor. Together, you can decide which screening options are right for you. A report of your results was sent to your physician.
Dense breast tissue contributes to high rates of false positives and false negatives. The legislation is designed to inform women with dense breasts that adjunct imaging is available to better diagnose their particular type of breast tissue.
For the full text of the bill, visit www.cqstatetrack.com/texis/walks/al/gettext.html?session=1061&billid=79287&amend=y&billnum=SB22&version=enr
May 17, 2024 
