Bill Text: NC H467 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Breast Density Notification & Awareness
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-10)
Status: (Passed) 2013-07-23 - Ch. SL 2013-321 [H467 Detail]
Download: North_Carolina-2013-H467-Amended.html
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2013
H 1
HOUSE BILL 467
Short Title: Breast Density Notification & Awareness. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Representatives Faircloth, Adams, Harrison, and Fulghum (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of Sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly Web Site. |
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Referred to: |
Health and Human Services. |
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April 1, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT requiring health care facilities that perform mammography examinations to communicate mammographic breast density information to patients.
Whereas, there are four levels of breast density and the only way to identify breast density is through a mammography examination; and
Whereas, women classified in the highest two levels have heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue and could have abnormalities that are not easily visible on a mammogram; and
Whereas, dense breast tissue may also increase the risk of developing cancer; and
Whereas, knowing her individual breast density level will aid in helping a woman better understand that supplemental screening may be beneficial if she is classified in the two highest levels of breast density; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. Article 7 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 130A‑215.5. Communication of mammographic breast density information to patients.
All health care facilities that perform mammography examinations shall do both of the following:
(1) Include in the lay letter required by federal law to be provided to a patient information that identifies the patient's individual breast density level, based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. If the facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, the lay letter shall include the following notice: "Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is a relatively common condition. Although common, both cancerous and noncancerous abnormalities may be more difficult to distinguish against a background of dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and you may benefit from supplemental screening tests as suggested by your physician. We are also providing this information to raise your awareness of the importance of self breast examination and of speaking to your physician about all risk factors."
(2) Provide all patients who receive diagnostic or screening mammograms with informative material about breast density such as the American College of Radiology's most current brochure on this subject."
SECTION 2. G.S. 130A‑211 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A‑211. Immunity of persons who report cancer.
A person who makes a report pursuant to G.S. 130A‑209
or 130A‑210 to the central cancer registry shall be immune from
any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed."
SECTION 3. This act becomes effective October 1, 2013.