A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT requiring health care facilities that perform mammography examinations to communicate mammographic breast density information to patients AND TO MAKE A CORRECTION TO A statute involving the cancer registry.
Whereas, there are four levels of breast density and the only way to identify breast density is through a mammography examination; and
Whereas, women classified in the highest two levels have heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue and could have abnormalities that are not easily visible on a mammogram; and
Whereas, dense breast tissue may also increase the risk of developing cancer; and
Whereas, knowing her individual breast density level will aid in helping a woman better understand that supplemental screening may be beneficial if she is classified in the two highest levels of breast density; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 7 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 130A‑215.5.  Communication of mammographic breast density information to patients.
All health care facilities that perform mammography procedures shall do both of the following:
(1)	Include in the summary of the mammography report, required under federal law to be provided to a patient, information that identifies the patient's individual breast density level based upon the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. If the facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, the summary of the mammography report shall include the following notice, "Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is a relatively common condition. Although common, both cancerous and noncancerous abnormalities may be more difficult to distinguish against a background of dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and you may benefit from supplemental screening tests as recommended by your physician. We are also providing this information to raise your awareness of the importance of breast self‑examination and of speaking to your physician about all risk factors."
(2)	Provide all patients who receive diagnostic or screening mammograms with informative material about breast density. This informative material may include the American College of Radiology's most current brochure on the subject of breast density."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 130A‑211 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A‑211.  Immunity of persons who report cancer.
A person who makes a report pursuant to G.S. 130A‑209 to the central cancer registry shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed."
SECTION 3.  The Medical Care Commission shall adopt rules requiring adherence to G.S. 130A‑215.5 as a condition of receiving state certification for all facilities performing mammography procedures.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2013.