Breast Density Legislation and Clinical Evidence

Regina J Hooley

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2016.12.006

Breast Density Legislation and Clinical Evidence

Radiol Clin North Am. 2017 May;55(3):513-526. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2016.12.006. Epub 2017 Mar 1.

Author

Regina J Hooley¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208042, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Electronic address: regina.hooley@yale.edu.

PMID: 28411677
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2016.12.006

Abstract

Breast density inform legislation is widely accepted in the United States and has fueled research regarding the clinical significance of dense breast tissue present on mammography and the value of supplemental screening. This article reviews the origins and current status of breast density inform laws and strategies for optimal breast density determination. Clinical evidence that dense breast tissue is associated with increased breast cancer risk is presented, together with a review of relative risk compared with other risk factors. Finally, there is in-depth analysis regarding the rationale, benefits, and risks of supplemental screening modalities, including ultrasound, tomosynthesis, and MRI.

Keywords: Breast; Cancer; Density; Legislation; Risk; Screening; Ultrasound.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Breast / diagnostic imaging
Breast Density*
Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Female
Health Information Exchange / legislation & jurisprudence*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Mammography / methods*
Ultrasonography, Mammary / methods
United States