North Carolina joins 11 other states to become the 12th state to standardize dense breast tissue reporting to women across the state. Addy Jeffrey, Greensboro North Carolina resident, brought the issue of dense breast tissue to the legislature after her advanced stage cancer diagnosis within 8 months of a normal mammogram. The ACT contained in Chapter 130A of the General Statutes becomes law effective January 1, 2014.

As a woman’s dense breast tissue increases, the sensitivity of the mammogram to detect cancer decreases. Dense tissue is one of the strongest predictors of the failure of mammography to detect cancer. It is a critical component of a woman’s breast health. Density reporting allows women to participate in their breast screening surveillance protocol with their health care providers. One year ago, density reporting laws were legislated in four states. Within one year, an additional 8 states have enacted legislation, inspired by patients turned advocates.

Density Reporting laws by state and year of passage: Connecticut (2009) Texas (2011) Virginia (2012) New York (2012) California (2012) Hawaii (2013) Maryland (2013) Tennessee (2013) Alabama (2013) Nevada (2013) Oregon (2013) North Carolina (2013)

About Are You Dense Inc. and Are You Dense Advocacy Inc.
Nancy M Cappello, Ph.D. was diagnosed with stage 3C breast cancer in 2004 as cancer metastasized to 13 lymph nodes within weeks of a ‘normal’ mammogram and a decade of normal mammograms prior to her tragic advanced stage diagnosis. After uncovering more than a dozens of studies in the medical literature, Dr. Cappello’s compelling story became the inspiration for two landmark laws in Connecticut – insurance coverage for ultrasound screening as a adjunct to mammography for women with dense breast tissue and density reporting through the mammography report. These landmark laws birthed the density grassroots movement. Connecticut data, since enactment of its density reporting law in 2009, demonstrate a significant discovery of invasive cancers in women with otherwise normal mammograms by adding ultrasound.

Dr. Cappello founded Are You Dense, Inc.{501(c)(3)} in 2008 to educate the public about the risks and screening challenges of dense breast tissue and Are You Dense Advocacy ,Inc. {501(c)(4)} in 2011 to advocate for universal density reporting through state and federal laws and MQSA regulatory revision.