UofL Health doctors highlight importance of FDA's updated mammogram regulations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Facilities that provide mammograms for women now have to notify patients about the density of their breasts.

The new rule, which went into effect on Tuesday, is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's amendment to the Mammography Quality Standards Act.

On mammographies, both masses and tissue show up as white. That means dense breasts may not show tumors or other masses on images captured by standard mammograms.

The FDA said the changes will provide more women with access to "consistent, quality mammography, which is important for early breast detection," according to UofL Health.

UofL Health's Brown Cancer Center in Louisville has already been informing patients about their breast density, something doctors said is crucial.

"One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime," Dr. Elsa Kuhl, with Brown Cancer Center, said. "That, with the fact that about half of the patients we're seeing have dense breasts, are all really important factors in discussing and deciding whether or not you need any additional or supplemental screening."

According to the FDA, about half of women over the age of 40 in the United States have dense breasts. Doctors said dense breast tissue can make cancers more difficult to detect on a mammogram, and dense breasts can be a risk factor for developing breast cancer.

Doctors recommend getting a yearly mammogram starting at age 40.

To read more about the FDA's updated mammography regulations, click here.

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