KRS 214.555: Recommendation of digital mammography including breast tomosynthesis

-- Notice to patient for whom mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue --

Expiration date of notice requirement.

(1) Physicians are encouraged to recommend digital mammogr aphy including breast

tomosynthesis when writing orders for mammograms. The term "breast

tomosynthesis" means a radiologic procedure that involves the acquisition of

projection images over the stationary breast to produce cross -sectional digital three-

dimensional images of the breast.

(2) If a patient's X -ray mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue, a person who

provided the X -ray mammography services in the Commonwealth shall provide

notification to the patient that includes but is not limited to the fo llowing

information in the summary of the written report of the results sent directly to a

patient:

"Your X -ray mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast

tissue is common among women and is not abnormal. However, women with dense

breast tissue may have a slightly increased risk for developing breast cancer. Dense

breast tissue may also make it more difficult to detect an early breast cancer on your

X-ray mammogram. At this time, there are no specific recommendations for

additional scre ening or other measures related to having dense breast tissue.

However, you may want to talk to your doctor about other ways that you might be

able to reduce your risk of breast cancer. A report of your results was sent to your

ordering physician. If you a re self-referred, a report of your results was sent to you

in addition to this summary."

(3) As used in this section, "dense breast tissue" means heterogeneously or extremely

dense breast tissue as defined in nationally recognized guidelines or systems for

breast imaging reporting of mammography screening, including but not limited to

the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American College

of Radiology. If, after June 29, 2017, new terms are defined in revised guidelines or

systems for breast imaging reporting of mammography screening and the

Department for Public Health determines that those new terms are more appropriate

for the purposes of the information required to be provided under this section, the

Department for Public Health may update the definition of dense breast tissue under

this subsection to use those new terms by administrative regulation.

(4) Recognizing the continuous improvements in patient outcomes that are reflective of

ongoing advances in evidence -based medical p ractices, expansive and emerging

medical research, and evolving innovations in medical technology, subsection (2) of

this section shall be in effect until January 1, 2025, unless the General Assembly

takes action to extend this expiration date.