(a) If the mammogram of a patient demonstrates dense breast tissue, the physician issuing the report of the mammography results shall provide notification to the patient that includes, but is not limited to, the following statement:

“Your mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is very common and is not abnormal. However, dense breast tissue may make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This information about the result of your mammogram is given to you to raise your awareness. Use this information to talk to your doctor about your own risks for breast cancer. At that time, ask your doctor if more screening tests might be useful, based on your risk. A report of your results was sent to your physician.”

Terms Used In Alabama Code 22-13-71

(b) For the purposes of this section, dense breast tissue means heterogeneously dense or extremely dense 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 of the American College of Radiology, and any equivalent new terms, as such guidelines or systems are updated.
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