About this website

Why Was This Website Created in 2018?

The Washington State legislature passed a bill regarding “Breast Health Information – Mammography” for patients. The new law becomes effective January 1, 2019 and requires mammography facilities to include specific language in the letters that are sent directly to patients with their results. The goal of the legislation is to inform patients if they have dense breast tissue so they have the opportunity to make personal decisions about their health care.

This website was created by the Washington State Radiological Society Breast Imaging Task Force and other medical providers. The goal of this website is to help patients, technologists, radiologists and other medical providers understand the legislation and provide answers to the most common questions and guidance for subsequent decisions about medical care related to screening for breast cancer.

Content of This Website

The website is organized by to provide answers to frequently asked questions from patients, technologists, radiologists and non-radiologist providers. The site also includes additional information about breast cancer risk and risk reduction. We invite your comments and feedback.

Patients with dense breast tissue will receive the following text in a letter with their mammogram results:

“Your mammogram indicates that you may have dense breast tissue. Roughly half of all women have dense breast tissue which is normal. Dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to evaluate your mammogram. We are sharing this information with you and your health care provider to help raise your awareness of breast density. We encourage you to talk with your health care provider about this and other breast cancer risk factors. Together, you can decide which screening options are right for you.”