FDA Releases New Regs Intended to Help Detect Breast Cancer Sooner
By Julia Shapero
New regulations announced on March 9 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aims to improve early breast cancer detection by requiring mammogram providers to inform patients about their breast density. According to the FDA, dense breast tissue is a risk factor for developing breast cancer but can make it harder to detect cancers on a mammogram. Under the new rules, providers also must explain to patients how breast density can influence the accuracy of a mammogram and that other imaging tests may better help detect cancers in patients with dense breast tissue. Meanwhile, U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), who pushed for legislation to require breast density reporting, pledged to reintroduce the Find It Early Act, which would require all health insurance plans to cover additional screenings that are necessary due to reasons such as breast density or family history, tests that patients typically pay for out of pocket.
Read more on The Hill.