Are You Dense Day at the Capitol in Hartford CT
Proclaiming October 30, 2013 as Are You Dense Day in Connecticut, Governor Malloy, Lt Governor Wyman, Connecticut legislators, Dr. Marco Verga, Dr. Regina Hooley, Radiologists, and breast cancer survivors joined together to honor Connecticut's global impact in breast density advocacy and education. Governor Malloy presented Dr. Cappello with a proclamation honoring her education and advocacy which has impacted the EARLY diagnosis of breast cancer across the state, country and globe. The event is captured by CT-N in this video.
Governor Malloy with Nancy
Jan Kritzman and Nancy
Are You Dense Day was inspired by Jan Kritzman, Newington CT resident, whose INVASIVE cancer, invisible by mammogram, was detected by ultrasound. Jan wanted to honor the work of CT legislators as Jan's story represents 'what could be' when women are given access to reliable screening tests. She was able to exchange a MISSED and ADVANCED cancer for an EARLY one by adjunct screening to mammography for women with dense breast tissue.
Are You Dense, Inc. was founded in 2008 by Dr. Nancy M. Cappello, a Woodbury, CT resident whose advanced stage breast cancer was diagnosed within weeks of a 'normal' mammogram and was preceded by a decade of ‘normal’ mammograms.It was at this tragic time in her life that she was first informed of the screening challenges and risks of Dense Breast Tissue.
Through Connecticut's legislative leadership beginning in 2005 for breast ultrasound screening coverage for women with dense breast tissue, a density reporting landmark law in 2009 and expanded MRI coverage in 2012, Connecticut's beacon for early breast cancer detection illuminates across the U.S. and its light circles the globe. As of November 1, 2013, THIRTEEN state density reporting laws have been enacted based on Connecticut's pioneering and impactful leadership in early breast cancer detection with additional global work in Canada, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Japan, Italy and Israel.
Whereas:
- 40% of women have dense breast tissue;
- Dense breast tissue predicts the accuracy of the mammogram at any age;
- Ultrasound and MRI detects invasive cancers that mammogram miss in dense breast tissue;
- Dense breast tissue is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer;
Hosted By:
- Senator Joe Crisco
- Representative Sandy Nafis
- Senator Joan Hartley
- Representative Susan Johnson
- Senator Paul Doyle
- Representative Bob Megna
- Senator Terry Gerratana
- Senator Len Fasano