214.555 Recommendation of digital mammography including breast tomosynthesis -- Notice to patient for whom mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue -- Expiration date of notice requirement

(2) (1) Physicians are encouraged to recommend digital mammography including breast tomosynthesis when writing orders for mammograms. The term "breast tomosynthesis" means a radiologic procedure that involves the acquisition of projection images over the stationary breast to produce cross-sectional digital three-dimensional images of the breast

If a patient's X-ray mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue, a person who provided the X-ray mammography services in the Commonwealth shall provide notification to the patient that includes but is not limited to the following information in the summary of the written report of the results sent directly to a patient: "Your X-ray mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is common among women and is not abnormal. However, women with dense breast tissue may have a slightly increased risk for developing breast cancer. Dense breast tissue may also make it more difficult to detect an early breast cancer on your X-ray mammogram. At this time, there are no specific recommendations for additional screening or other measures related to having dense breast tissue. However, you may want to talk to your doctor about other ways that you might be able to reduce your risk of breast cancer. A report of your results was sent to your ordering physician. If you are self-referred, a report of your results was sent to you in addition to this summary." (3) As used in this section, "dense breast tissue" means heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue as defined in nationally recognized guidelines or systems for breast imaging reporting of mammography screening, including but not limited to the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American College of Radiology. If, after June 29, 2017, new terms are defined in revised guidelines or systems for breast imaging reporting of mammography screening and the Department for Public Health determines that those new terms are more appropriate for the purposes of the information required to be provided under this section, the Department for Public Health may update the definition of dense breast tissue under this subsection to use those new terms by administrative regulation

(4) Recognizing the continuous improvements in patient outcomes that are reflective of ongoing advances in evidence-based medical practices, expansive and emerging medical and evolving innovations in medical technology, subsection (2) of this section shall be in effect until January 1, 2021, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend this expiration date

research, Effective:June 29, 2017 History: Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 183, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017