Oklahoma governor signs breast density notification bill into law
Oklahoma has joined an increasing number of states with breast density reporting laws with the signing of House Bill 2601, which requires healthcare facilities to include density information on mammography reports and notify women with dense breasts of potential cancer risks.
The bill, signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin, was introduced into the Oklahoma state legislature by Rep. Mike Ritze, chair of the state’s house public health committee.
“This is an effort to ensure that women have the information they need to make informed decisions about their health,” said Ritze. “When patients are empowered with information, they are far more likely to act upon that information and take steps to reduce their risk.”
It is estimated that up to half of all women have dense breast tissue, which increases the potential risk of cancer and makes detection more difficult.
Recent research has shown that additional screening beyond routine mammography with advanced imaging techniques including digital breast tomosynthesis can help improve cancer detection in women with dense breasts.
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