Dense Breast Screening: Dense if We Do, Dense if We Don't?
Dr. David Katz responds to recent JAMA opinion piece that Density Laws Legislate Practice.
In a recent commentary in USA Today, Dr. Katz stands with Are You Dense Inc. in exposing the impact of dense breast tissue on the reliability of mammography screening to detect early cancer in dense breasts.
"As noted in JAMA, revised screening protocols for dense breast tissue are largely due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Nancy Cappello, herself a survivor of cancer in dense breasts, missed by mammography and found at a late stage. Turning that adversity into opportunity as only the true heroes among us ever do, Nancy founded the charity Are You Dense to protect other women with dense breasts from the false sense of security mammography was apt to provide them. Standard mammography is ill-suited to detect the early signs of cancer in dense breast tissue, which is present in as many as 40 percent of all women.
Nancy's efforts, along with those of many others she has engaged along the way – some famous and some not – have resulted in legislation in 24 states to mandate notification to women about dense breast tissue, and coverage for a modified screening protocol involving ultrasound. National legislation is in the works."
"The legislation does not require that women get screened for breast cancer, of course. The pros and cons of cancer screening are, as they have always been, subject to the customized decisions that play out in doctor/patient dialogue, affirms Dr. Katz."
Read the complete article Here.