SB 791: Comprehensive Breast Tissue Screening (2011)
Summary
The substance of SB 791 was previously incorporated in SB 173. When SB 173 was held up in the Legislature, SB 791 became the vehicle.
Under Federal law, a radiologist performing a mammogram must send a report to the referring physician that includes what a woman’s breast density is. In addition Federal law requires the radiologist write the patient to inform her of the results of her mammogram. Senate Bill 173 is modeled off of legislation that passed into law in Connecticut in 2009 which requires that language regarding a woman’s breast density be included in the letter from the radiologist to the patient.
Women with dense breast tissue are four to six times at greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women of the same age and health.
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 791 "Fact Sheet" prepared by a member of Senator Simitian's staff.
Final Status and Text
SB 791 is no longer active. Its final status was:Vetoed by the Governor
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
-National Harris Survey indicating that 95% of women do not know their breast density
-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
News & Press Releases about SB 791
08/06/2012 - Are you dense? Forty percent of women tested are08/06/2012 - 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 - Editorial: Bill to improve chances of breast cancer detection
03/27/2012 - Media Call Wednesday Morning: Simitian To Reintroduce Breast Cancer Detection Bill
10/14/2011 - Editorial: Brown's Veto of Mammogram Disclosure is Outrageous
10/11/2011 - Breast Cancer Detection Bill Vetoed
09/20/2011 - Simitian Opts for Patience Over Force on Mammogram Bill
09/12/2011 - Breast Cancer Detection Bill Passes Legislature
02/09/2011 - SB 173: Comprehensive Breast Tissue Screening