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SB 1538: Comprehensive Breast Tissue Screening (2012)

Summary

Under federal law, a radiologist performing a mammogram must send a report to the referring physician that includes information about the patient’s breast density.  In addition, federal law requires that the radiologist write the patient to inform her of the results of her mammogram.  Women with dense breast tissue are at a four to six times greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women of the same age and health. 

Senate Bill 1538 is modeled on legislation that passed into law in Connecticut in 2009, which requires that information about a woman’s breast density be included in the letter she already receives from the radiologist after every mammogram.

Last year’s SB 791 would have required this information, but it was vetoed by the Governor.

After the bill passed the Legislature, Senator Simitian sent a letter to the Governor urging his signature. 

For more information, you can read the SB 1538 "Fact Sheet" prepared by a member of Senator Simitian's staff.

Final Status and Text

SB 1538 is no longer active. Its final status was:
Signed into Law

You can read its final text on the Legislature's Bill Information site.

Background Information

Helpful Background information on Dense Breast Tissue:

- What others are saying about Dense Breast Tissue

- Breast density breakdown used by Radiologists, also known as BI-RADS

- Radiological Society of Connecticut’s support letter for Connecticut’s breast density notification legislation

- Form filled out by radiologists during a patient’s mammogram

- Letter of support for breast density notification from the Kansas Medical Society


News & Press Releases about SB 1538

11/20/2012 - Simitian Honored for "Exposing the Secret" of Breast Cancer Detection

09/24/2012 - Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill requiring extra warnings on mammograms

09/23/2012 - Simitian Breast Cancer Detection Bill Signed by Governor

09/10/2012 - Editorial: Brown Should Sign Breast Cancer Detection Bill

09/07/2012 - In Advance of Public Forum, Simitian Releases TV Announcement To Improve Breast Cancer Detection

08/30/2012 - Simitian Breast Cancer Detection Bill (Are You Dense?) Passes Legislature

08/29/2012 - Simitian to Hold 'Are You Dense?' Public Forum on Breast Cancer Awareness and Detection

08/14/2012 - Capitol Focus: Amy Colton and Nancy Cappello on Breast Density and SB 1538

08/06/2012 - Are you dense? Forty percent of women tested are

08/06/2012 - Are You Dense? That's the Question on August 8th, "Are You Dense? Day"

05/29/2012 - Senate Passes Simitian Breast Cancer Detection Bill Unanimously

03/29/2012 - Bolstered by Research Findings, Simitian Reintroduces Breast Cancer Detection Bill