Breast Density Notification from Senator Angela Williams

News
Aug 1, 2018

The Women’s Imaging Center would like to applaud Senator Angela Williams for her efforts to bring forth and help pass the CO SB 142 Breast Density Notification Required bill passed on 4/6/2017. As a Colorado legislator, Senator Williams has made a tremendous impact for Women in Colorado.

The bill’s purpose is “to provide a patient, the patient’s physician, or medical institution with a mammography report and who has determined that the patient has dense breast tissue, as determined by the interpreting physician based on breast imaging reporting and data system standards promulgated by the American College of Radiology, shall include the following notice with the mammography report: your mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is common and is not abnormal. However, dense breast tissue can make it harder to evaluate the results of your mammogram and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.” This information about the results of your mammogram is given to you to raise your awareness and to inform your conversations with your doctor.

The Radiologists at the Women’s Imaging Center support the Breast Density Notification as the first step in further educating women about supplemental imaging to detect breast cancer as early as possible. The density of your tissue may range from minimally dens, scattered fibroglandular densities, heterogeneously dense to extremely dense. For women with fatty replaced or minimally dense tissue, only standard mammography is recommended. If the tissue is heterogeneously dense (a mixture of fatty and glandular tissue) then 3D digital mammography called Tomosynthesis or whole breast ultrasound may be used. For women with extremely dense tissue, whole breast ultrasound (if not family history) or MRI (if strong family history) may be recommended, depending on the insurance standards in the state in which you live. These are “recommendations” only based on your tissue density. Your revering clinician and you determine which, if any, supplemental imaging is the best fit for you.

Senator Angela Williams also played a major role in the SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 17-040 establishing that October 17, 2017, be recognized as “Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day” which entails awareness for metastatic cancer in Colorado, including Breast Cancer.

Work Cited

“Senator Angela Williams.” Colorado Democratic Party. Colorado Democrats, n.d. Web. 01 June 2017.

The Women’s Imaging Center is proud to announce that we have added 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography at our Denver/Cherry Creek location. Our other locations in Lakewood, Highlands Ranch and Westminster (near Arvada) all use the highest rated digital mammography systems, Hologic Dimensions and Selenia. Our main scheduling number remains 303-321-CARE (2273) for all four of our locations. The Women’s Imaging Center is committed to providing individualized, innovative, state-of-the-art healthcare to women.

The Women’s Imaging Center uses highest rated digital mammography systems made by Hologic Dimensions and Selenia. We offer breast mammography, breast sonogram, breast ultrasound and other medical imaging services in Denver (Cherry Creek), Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and Westminster.

Call 303-321-CARE (2273) to schedule an appointment or make an on-line appointment request.

The Women’s Imaging Center is committed to providing individualized, innovative, state-of-the-art healthcare to women.