Breast density laws linked to higher ultrasound use after mammography
More than 40% of American women ages 40 and older have dense breast tissue, according to the National Cancer Institute. This type of tissue can make cancer harder to spot on mammograms and is itself associated with a higher risk of cancer. For some, additional screening may be appropriate.
A nationwide study published in JAMA Network Open has found that both breast density notification laws and insurance coverage mandates for supplemental imaging after mammography tend to increase the use of follow-up tests like ultrasounds and MRIs in women aged 40-64. The study, which analyzed 12.6 million de-identified health records, revealed that insurance coverage mandates had nearly four times the impact on ultrasound usage than notification laws.
However, the overall use of supplemental imaging remained low, with only 9% of women receiving ultrasounds and 0.6% receiving MRIs within six months of a screening mammogram.
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