Breast Density Notification: A Primary Care Summary

Mendelson, Nicole Lin

Item

Breast Density Notification: A Primary Care Summary

Mendelson, Nicole Lin

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

On January 15th, 2017 Vermont Senate Bill 157 took effect requiring healthcare facilities that perform mammography to provide patients information that identifies their individual breast tissue classification. 40-50% of women fall into the category of having increased breast density. Increased breast density reduces the sensitivity of mammography and increases the chance that cancer will not be detected. Additionally, women who have dense breasts are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Supplemental screening provides an opportunity to increase detection of breast cancer, but comes with an increased rate of false positives. With this new law in place, there is a need to educate primary care physicians on the risks and benefits of available supplemental screening technologies so that they may appropriately counsel patient that wish to proceed. This project resulted in an educational document and presentation to primary care physicians at Berlin Family Practice with the aim of raising awareness about the topic, providing education on the screening options/counseling patients, and providing a forum to discuss how patients will be affected.