“Early detection saves lives,” Indiana bill aims to improve breast density education | News [Video]

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHI) – Hoosier lawmakers are considering legislation that is intended to help detect breast cancer earlier by notifying women of their breast density.

Federal statistics show about one in eight women will get breast cancer in her life. Health experts say mammograms continue to be the best tool for breast cancer screening and detection, but dense breast tissue can complicate things.

Wednesday, the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee heard House Bill 1058. The author, Rep. Sharon Negele, explained that the legislation would update language in the state code related to breast density notification. 

According to Rep. Negele, mammography facilities would be required to send women letters stating whether their breasts are dense or not dense. The letters would explain that dense tissue makes it harder to find cancer on a mammogram and that dense breasts …