US Density Reporting Legislation Moves Forward

Senator Diane Feinstein of California and Senator Kelley Ayotte of New Hampshire introduce bi-partisan legislation to standardise the communication of dense breast tissue to the patient through the mammography report. In October, 2013, Congresswoman Rosa Delauro of Connecticut and Steve Israel of New York introduced density reporting legislation in the House of Representatives and reintroduced the House bill today to correspond with the language of the Senate bill. The bill also directs the Dept of Heath and Human Services to focus on research to improve screening options for women with dense breast tissue.

Dr. Nancy Cappello, Founder and Director of Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. and the inspiration behind the first density reporting law in the country reports, “We are so pleased that federal legislation to report a woman’s breast tissue composition will assist in conversations with health-care providers about a woman’s personal screening surveillance. Through our legislative efforts in DC and across the states, our organisation’s mission to protect women from missed, delayed and late stage cancer has catapulted the challenging issue of dense breast tissue and its impact on an Early Diagnosis from scientific journals to the patient. A national standard will ensure that every woman across this country is given critical breast health information as part of her mammography report.”

Susan G Komen for a Cure, the American Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Fund joined Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. in support of the federal legislation.

Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D is Director and Founder of Are You Dense Inc. and Are You Dense Advocacy Inc., patient advocacy nonprofit organisations. Its missions are to educate the public about the risks and screening challenges of dense breast tissue to prevent missed, delayed and advanced-stage cancer. 

The organisations were founded after years of mammograms missed Dr. Cappello’s breast cancer because of her dense breast tissue, which was unknown to her. Her cancer was not diagnosed until at an advanced stage which had metastasised to 13 lymph nodes. She is the inspiration behind the first density reporting law in the nation, catapulting Connecticut as a global leader in density reporting and adjunct screening for women with dense breast tissue. Dr. Cappello’s career also includes being an educator, administrator and state department of education consultant and leader. She earned a PhD in Education Administration and Leadership in 1995 from the University of Connecticut. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards and has presented her story and mission across the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Italy. When her mission is accomplished, Dr. Cappello is looking forward to rescuing a dog, learning Italian, and taking golf lessons.