Dense breast notification laws not leading to more screening ultrasound

New research from the University of Washington, led by Christoph Lee, MD. focuses on whether dense breast notification laws changed how often physicians ordered screening ultrasounds for women. The research team examined data from 12,787 wellness visits from 2007 to 2015 by women 40 to 74 years old. Overall, about 29% of the women had breast exams during their checkups and 22% had a screening mammogram ordered, but just 3.3% had screening ultrasounds ordered.

“Physicians may not recommend supplemental ultrasound for the majority of women with dense breasts as the current evidence suggests that risks outweigh benefits of screening ultrasound,” Lee said.