A. Beginning October 1, 2014, if a patient is categorized by a health care institution or health care facility that performs mammography examinations as having heterogeneously dense breasts or extremely dense breasts based on the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American college of radiology, the institution or facility must include in the summary of the mammography report that is sent to the patient the following notice:

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 36-415

  • Health care institution: means every place, institution, building or agency, whether organized for profit or not, that provides facilities with medical services, nursing services, behavioral health services, health screening services, other health-related services, supervisory care services, personal care services or directed care services and includes home health agencies as defined in section 36-151, outdoor behavioral health care programs and hospice service agencies. See Arizona Laws 36-401
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Physician: means any person who is licensed pursuant to Title 32, Chapter 13 or 17. See Arizona Laws 36-401

Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is common and is found in fifty per cent of women. However, dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to detect cancers in the breast by mammography and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This information is being provided to raise your awareness and to encourage you to discuss with your health care providers your dense breast tissue and other breast cancer risk factors. Together, you and your physician can decide if additional screening options are right for you. A report of your results was sent to your physician.

B. This section does not:

1. Create or impose liability on a health care institution or health care facility for failing to comply with the requirements of this section before October 1, 2014.

2. Create a duty of care or other legal obligation beyond the duty to provide notice as set forth in subsection A of this section.

3. Require a notice that is inconsistent with the federal mammography quality standards act or any regulations promulgated pursuant to that act.