Code of the District of Columbia

Chapter 4A. Health Care Facility Mammography Report.

§ 44–431. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) "Breast density classification" means the 4 levels of breast density identified in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology, which are:

(A) Class A, indicating fatty breast tissue;

(B) Class B, indicating scattered fibroglandular breast tissue;

(C) Class C, indicating heterogeneously dense breast tissue with fibrous and glandular tissue that are evenly distributed throughout the breast; and

(D) Class D, indicating extremely dense breast tissue.

(2) "Health care facility" means a hospital, maternity center, ambulatory surgical facility, or hospice, as defined in subchapter I of Chapter 5 of this title.

§ 44–432. Health care facility mammography report.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2019, a health care facility shall provide a patient receiving a mammography exam with a mammography report detailing the results of the mammography exam, including an identification of the patient's breast tissue classification.

(b) If a patient receives a class C or class D breast density classification, the mammography report prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include the following notice:

"Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is relatively common and is not abnormal. Dense breast tissue can, however, make it more difficult to detect cancers in the breast by mammography because it can hide small abnormalities and may be associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Accordingly, you may benefit from supplementary screening tests, which may include a breast ultrasound screening, or a breast MRI examination, or both, depending on your individual risk factors.

"This information is given to you to raise your awareness. Use this information to talk to your health care provider about your own risks for breast cancer. At that time, ask your health care provider if additional screening and/or tests may be useful based on your own risk.

"A report of your results was sent to your health care provider. You should contact your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about this report.".