2014 -- S 2522

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LC004534

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

     

     Introduced By: Senators Doyle, Nesselbush, Gallo, Lynch, and Ottiano

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 12.9

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DENSE BREAST NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION

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     23-12.9-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Dense

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Breast Notification and Education Act."

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     23-12.9-2. Legislative findings. – (a) Studies for decades conclude that breast density is

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the strongest predictor of the failure of a mammogram to detect cancer. National surveys report

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that the great majority of women are totally unaware of their breast tissue composition and its

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impact on their breast health.

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     (b) Women report that they want to know their breast tissue composition. Studies show

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that having dense breasts raises the risk of developing breast cancer fourfold to sixfold. It is a

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greater risk factor than having a mother or sister with the disease. One in eight (8) U.S. women

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(one in six (6) in Rhode Island) gets breast cancer, many with no family history. Women have a

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right to know if they are at risk. Women who do not know they have dense breasts lack the same

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access to early detection of breast cancer.

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     (c) As of 2013, thirteen (13) states have breast cancer notification laws and many more

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are currently introducing bills for legislation. State legislation ensures that all women are

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informed of this critical breast-health information to enhance informed discussions with their

 

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healthcare providers about their personal screening options.

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     23-12.9-3. Public policy goals – Department of health. – The department of health,

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through the Rhode Island Cancer Council, is authorized and mandated to implement the following

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public health policy goals as they relate to dense breast notification in Rhode Island.

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Commencing on October 1, 2014, all health care facilities that perform mammography

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examinations shall include in the summary of the mammography report to be provided to a

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patient, information that identifies the patient's individual Breast Tissue Classification based on

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the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of

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Radiology. If the facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense

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breasts, the summary of the mammography report shall also include the following notice:

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     "Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is

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relatively common and is found in about forty percent (40%) of women. The presence of dense

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tissue can make it more difficult to detect cancers in the breast by mammography because it can

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hide small abnormalities and may be associated with an increased risk. Hence, you may benefit

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from supplementary screening tests, which may include a breast ultrasound screening or a breast

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MRI examination, or both, depending on your individual risk factors.

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     We are providing this information to raise your awareness of this important factor and to

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encourage you to discuss your dense breast tissue, as well as other breast cancer risk factors, with

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your health care provider. Together, you can decide which screening options are right for you.

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     A report of your results was sent to your physician. You should contact your physician if

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you have any questions or concerns about this report."

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

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     This act would establish the "Dense Breast Notification and Education Act," which

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would require the health care facility which performed a mammogram to notify the patient of any

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finding of dense breast tissue along with basic information about dense breast tissue as it relates

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to screening and risk factors for breast cancer.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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