BOSTON – Representative Provost and Senator Jehlen announced today that the legislature voted to pass H. 3733 An Act relative to breast cancer early detection which will require changes to
the information reported to women about their mammogram results. This bill was inspired by a constituent who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer 7 months after a mammogram which showed no abnormalities. The missed diagnosis was attributed to her having dense breast tissue-a not uncommon condition, about which she was told nothing by any health care provider.

“When I was asked what I was going to do to prevent other women from finding themselves in this situation, my course was clear,” said Representative Dense Provost. “Mammograms are a valuable screen test, but being clear about their limitations will save lives.”
“This legislation provides additional, important information to women in an effort to detect and prevent breast cancer,” said Senator Jehlen. “Early detection of breast cancer is essential to women’s health and women should be made aware of any impairment in the doctor’s ability to do so.”
This bill, filed in January 2013, requires that radiologists notify patients about the degree of density shown on a mammogram and what it could mean. Patients will be informed that having dense breast tissue slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, as well as sometimes obscuring tumors on mammograms. This bill also requires consideration of whether further screening should be considered. If Governor Patrick signs the bill, Massachusetts would join 17 other states that have already enacted such legislation, including Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York.
You can see the full text of the bill at: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H3733

“Mammograms are a valuable screen test, but being clear about their limitations will save lives.”
“This legislation provides additional, important information to women in an effort to detect and prevent breast cancer,” said Senator Jehlen. “Early detection of breast cancer is essential to women’s health and women should be made aware of any impairment in the doctor’s ability to do so.”
This bill, filed in January 2013, requires that radiologists notify patients about the degree of density shown on a mammogram and what it could mean. Patients will be informed that having dense breast tissue slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, as well as sometimes obscuring tumors on mammograms. This bill also requires consideration of whether further screening should be considered. If Governor Patrick signs the bill, Massachusetts would join 17 other states that have already enacted such legislation, including Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York.
You can see the full text of the bill at: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H3733